Ahead of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, stakeholders in Nigeria have urged parents, government, and communities to protect girls' rights and invest in their education. The call was made at an event organised by Olumawu School in Abuja, with the theme "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Right". The speakers identified poverty, harmful social attitudes, and weak policy implementation as factors exposing girls to abuse, early marriage, and other forms of vulnerability.
Ambassador Chinwe Joyce Akubueze, the guest speaker, criticised the practice of treating daughters as commodities for financial gain, stressing that girls deserved the same opportunities as boys. She urged Nigerian parents to stop marrying off their daughters to raise money for their brothers' education, asking them to consider the future of the girls whose opportunities were being sacrificed. Akubueze also encouraged girls experiencing abuse, coercion, or threats to speak out and seek help from trusted adults.
Akubueze shared the story of Onu, a young lady who was repeatedly raped by her uncle and his associates from the age of 14. Threatened with death if she disclosed the abuse, Onu endured it without support, became pregnant at 15, and had to terminate the pregnancy due to her age. The experience left her traumatised, disrupted her education, and affected her self-esteem. However, Onu eventually turned her painful experiences into a message of hope for other girls.
Emree Bello Jonah, the keynote speaker, described child marriage as a violation of girls' rights, warning that it could undermine their education, health, and future. She urged girls to take their education seriously, develop practical skills, and build the confidence to pursue leadership opportunities. Jonah also highlighted menstrual health, saying no girl should miss school because she could not afford sanitary pads.
The principal of Olumawu School, Rotimi Jiboku, called for stronger implementation of government policies designed to protect girls and support their development. He urged government agencies to ensure that girls had the support needed to thrive. Jiboku said the school provided several channels for students to report abuse and raise concerns, including anonymous reporting boxes and designated safeguarding officers.
Students at the event, including Aliyah Abdulrahman and Israel Akinteye, called for greater gender equality and more opportunities for girls to participate in leadership. They urged boys and men to challenge gender discrimination and encourage girls to pursue their ambitions, saying equal opportunities would help build a more balanced society.
The International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11, promotes girls' rights and draws attention to challenges including unequal access to education, discrimination, violence, and forced child marriage. The Olumawu School event brought together students, educators, and advocates to discuss practical ways of protecting girls, strengthening their confidence, and ensuring that their rights, education, and aspirations receive greater attention.
Key points
- Stakeholders urge stronger action against child marriage, abuse, and gender discrimination to protect girls' rights and invest in their education.
- Poverty, harmful social attitudes, and weak policy implementation are identified as factors exposing girls to abuse, early marriage, and other forms of vulnerability.
- Girls are encouraged to speak out and seek help from trusted adults if they experience abuse, coercion, or threats.
