The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has urged for stronger implementation of the Child Rights Act to protect girls from child marriage, harmful practices, and barriers to education. This call was made in a statement to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child. Badejo-Okusanya emphasized that protecting girls is a matter of human rights, justice, and the rule of law. She noted that despite existing laws, many girls continue to face challenges that limit their choices and deny them opportunities to realise their full potential.
Badejo-Okusanya highlighted the gap between the rights guaranteed by law and the protection girls actually receive as a major concern. She stressed that laws cannot fulfil their purpose if they fail to reach the children they were enacted to protect. The NBA president called for the domestication of the Child Rights Act in all states and ensured that access to justice does not depend on a family's ability to pay. This, she believes, will help bridge the gap between legal provisions and the realities faced by children.
The NBA has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the protection of girls and working with relevant institutions to address the challenges faced by children. Badejo-Okusanya stated that the responsibility for protecting the girl child extends beyond the legal profession. She urged governments, communities, and individuals to play their respective roles in safeguarding girls' rights. According to her, governments must strengthen child-protection institutions, while communities must reject harmful practices.
Badejo-Okusanya also urged individuals to speak up, report abuse, and refuse to ignore violations of girls' rights. She emphasized that every girl deserves the time to grow, the protection of the law, and the opportunity to become all she is capable of becoming. The NBA president added that protecting girls should not be treated as an act of charity but as a responsibility owed to them and to the future of the country.
The NBA president's call for stronger implementation of the Child Rights Act comes as many girls in Nigeria continue to face challenges such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and limited access to education. These practices have been recognized as harmful and have been prohibited by laws, but their enforcement remains a challenge. Badejo-Okusanya's statement highlights the need for a collective effort to address these challenges.
Badejo-Okusanya's statement has been seen as a renewed commitment to ensuring that the rights of every girl are not merely recognised in law but effectively protected in practice. She emphasized that protecting girls is crucial for their development and the development of the country. The NBA's commitment to advancing the protection of girls is part of its broader efforts to promote human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The International Day of the Girl Child is an annual event celebrated on October 11 to promote girls' empowerment and address the challenges they face. This year's celebration serves as a reminder of the need for collective action to protect girls and promote their rights. The NBA's call for stronger implementation of the Child Rights Act is part of the efforts to mark this day and promote the rights of girls in Nigeria.
Key points
- Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya calls for stronger implementation of the Child Rights Act to protect girls from child marriage and harmful practices.
- The NBA has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the protection of girls and working with relevant institutions to address the challenges faced by children.
- The responsibility for protecting the girl child extends beyond the legal profession to governments, communities, and individuals.
