Opara Calls for End to Child Marriage, Investment in Girl-Child
Calls for stronger action against child marriage in Nigeria are growing, with advocates stressing the need for greater investment in the education, protection and development of the girl-child.
Opara has called for an end to child marriage and increased investment in girls, highlighting the importance of creating opportunities that allow young girls to remain in school and develop their full potential.
Child marriage remains a major challenge affecting girls in Nigeria. It can disrupt education and limit opportunities, while exposing girls to increased risks associated with early pregnancy, poverty and vulnerability.
The issue has also been linked to wider barriers facing Nigerian girls, including limited access to education, gender discrimination and other harmful practices. Previous reporting on the girl-child in Nigeria has identified education, healthcare, protection from violence and freedom from child marriage as important areas requiring attention.
Education as a Key Investment
Greater investment in girls’ education is frequently identified as an important way of reducing the pressures that contribute to early marriage.
Keeping girls in school can give them opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills while improving their prospects for employment and economic independence.
The scale of the education challenge remains significant. UNICEF has previously highlighted barriers including child marriage, insecurity and poverty as factors preventing Nigerian girls from accessing and completing their education.
Tackling Harmful Practices
Ending child marriage requires more than legislation. Community awareness, enforcement of existing protections and support for vulnerable families are also important parts of addressing the issue.
Nigeria already has laws and policies intended to protect children, but implementation has remained a challenge in some parts of the country. Previous reporting has noted that cultural, religious and socioeconomic factors can complicate efforts to prevent child marriage.
Advocates have therefore continued to call for coordinated action involving government institutions, traditional and religious leaders, communities, schools and families.
Creating More Opportunities for Girls
Investment in the girl-child can extend beyond education. Access to healthcare, skills development, safe learning environments and economic opportunities can help girls build more secure futures.
The call from Opara adds to broader efforts to place the rights and development of girls higher on the national agenda.
For many advocates, preventing child marriage and expanding opportunities for girls are closely connected goals: girls need the opportunity to remain in school, develop their abilities and make decisions about their futures without being pushed into marriage at an early age.
