In line with the commitment made at the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Heads of States and Governments on Ending Child Marriage in Africa, Nigeria will be launching a campaign to end child marriage on Tuesday Nov. 29.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan revealed this at a media briefing in Abuja earlier today.
The Minister said that the commitment was adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government in June, 2015 to take practical steps in addressing the issue of ending child marriage..
Alhassan said the campaign will focus on the adverse effects of child marriage such as girls being at greater risk of experiencing dangerous complications in pregnancy and childbirth, contracting VVF or HIV/AIDS, suffering domestic violence and a lack of access to education.
She said according to UNICEF findings, 15 million children are married off every year globally with devastating consequences on their general wellbeing.
“One of first practical steps is a vigorous campaign to end child marriage.”
“Global communities and Nigeria in particular are increasingly recognising child marriage as a serious challenge, both as a violation of human rights and a hinderance to key developmental outcomes,’’ she said.
Alhassan noted that African countries were faced with the challenges of child marriage which robbed girls or children of their education, health and future.
“This is very disturbing as it is further revealed that 15 out of the 20 countries with the highest rates of child marriage in the world are in Africa.
The Minister said “15 African countries have so far launched the campaign to end child marriage. They are are Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Niger, the Islamic Republic of Gambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Zambia, Chad, Burkina Faso , Mali and Madagascar,”
Nigeria joins these countries tomorrow.
Alhassan revealed that a National Technical Working Group set up to end child marriage in the country was inaugurated on July 23, 2015 by the ministry.
She urged the media, development partners and other stakeholders to double their efforts in ensuring girl’s rights to freedom from child marriage as the consequences of non-action are too grave.
The End Child Marriage campaign will be launched tomorrow Nov. 29 at the Sheraton Hotel by the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
