The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has urged the Nigerian government to take proactive steps to end child marriage in the country. In a statement by the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura, the council emphasized the need for Federal, state, and local governments to initiate measures that would help address the menace. This call was made to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja. The statement highlights the importance of government action to protect the rights of girls.
According to Princess Azura, the government needs to enforce 18 as the minimum age of marriage in every state and review the Child Rights Act to close any loopholes and remove contradictions in the Constitution. The NCWS also wants the National Assembly to delete Section 29(4)(b) to prevent laws that turn married children into adults. This move aims to protect girls from early marriage and ensure their rights are safeguarded. The NCWS emphasizes that a girl under 18 is a child and should not be given in marriage.
The NCWS also stresses the need for birth and marriage registration, citing that only 57% of children under five have their births registered, and just 45% in rural areas. This low registration rate can hinder efforts to track and prevent child marriages. The council also advocates for keeping every girl in school safely until she completes secondary school and extending free and compulsory education to the end of senior secondary school. This education will empower girls and reduce the risk of early marriage.
Princess Azura highlights that more than 24 million Nigerian women and girls alive today were married as children, with 33.4% of women aged 20-24 married before 18. This statistic underscores the urgency of addressing child marriage in Nigeria. The NCWS boss emphasizes that child marriage takes girls out of school, endangers their lives in pregnancy and childbirth, and holds back families and the nation.
The theme of this year's International Day of the Girl Child, "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights," resonates with the NCWS's call to action. Princess Azura notes that Nigeria has the largest number of child brides in Africa, making it imperative for governments to move from promises to funded, measurable action. The NCWS invites parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to stand with girls and support efforts to end child marriage.
The NCWS is committed to working with state chapters, affiliated organizations, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to hold community conversations with stakeholders. These conversations aim to identify girls at risk and link them to schools, healthcare, and protection services. The council's efforts focus on protecting girls and promoting their rights and education.
The NCWS's call to action emphasizes that child marriage is not a private family matter, but a national issue that requires collective action. The council's proactive measures aim to address the root causes of child marriage and promote a safe and supportive environment for girls to thrive. By working together, the NCWS believes that Nigeria can make progress in ending child marriage and investing in girls' rights.
Key points
- The NCWS urges the government to enforce 18 as the minimum age of marriage and remove contradictions in the Constitution.
- The council advocates for birth and marriage registration, education, and cash support to prevent child marriage.
- Nigeria has the largest number of child brides in Africa, with over 24 million women and girls married as children.
