In its avowed commitment to finding far-reaching solutions to the health, social and economic implications for the girl child and her community as a result of early marriage, the Federal Government has commenced dialogues with various stakeholders, including religious and traditional leaders in the country with a view to ending the practice.
At the Dialogue, which was held in Abuja weekend, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the practice of child marriages not only undermines human development and well-being of the child, but is also a key driver of adolescent pregnancy.
This she said, increases the risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), truncates a girl’s childhood, creates grave physical and psychological health risks, while also robbing her of internationally recognized human rights.
She stated further that the Dialogue is imperative as ending child marriages require the consent of all those involved, including fathers, religious and traditional rulers as well as community leaders.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye observed the need for some cultural norms to be reshapened through collaborative engagements and religious teachings that prioritize the protection and well-being of Nigerian girls in order to ensure a brighter future.
The Minister who added that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present Administration aims at giving every Nigerian, especially the youth, an opportunity to strive for excellence, called on governments at all levels as well as stakeholders, to identify strategies that will be developed to address the challenge.
She explained that one of the major causes of child marriages in many societies is poverty. “To break the cycle of poverty therefore, programmes are needed to educate and empower women to earn and support their families”, the Minister added.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye informed that it is also in line with this that the Ministry under her watch has restated its commitment to the development of children, women and the vulnerable in the society so as to help them develop their potentials, not only in line with the policy thrust of the present administration but also with global realities.
She commended the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Religious and Traditional Institutions, Nigerian Governors Spouses Forum and other relevant Organisations for efforts been made at their various fora towards finding far-reaching solutions to child marriages in the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, stated that the UNFPA statistics show that with all the efforts so far made to stop the practice in Nigeria, only about 5 percent results have been achieved.
He therefore called on participants at the Dialogue to brainstorm with a view to proffering better measures that will lead to the end of the practice.
“Let us unite in our commitment to building a future where every child’s potential can flourish and be brought to limelight, unhindered, untampered with the shadows of child marriages”, he said.
Ambassador Aduda commended UNICEF, UNFPA and other stakeholders for their unflinching support to the campaign while also thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in particular, for creating an enabling environment to safeguard the life and well-being of every Nigerian girl-child.
In a goodwill message, the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate attributed the continuous practice of girl-child marriage in Nigeria to the lack of adequate knowledge on its consequences on the girl, her family and the society at large.
While pledging the Organization’s total commitment to the eradication of the practice, she called on government at the National, State and Local Government Levels to make concerted efforts towards enlightening the populace on the dangers of the practice with a view to protecting the future of the girl-child.
Highlights of the occasion include, Panel discussions with relevant stakeholders as well as goodwill messages by Leaders of Religious bodies, Traditional Rulers, the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum and the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), among others.
Signed
Mrs. Grace Njoku
Head, Press and Public Relations
