By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Stakeholders have called on government at all levels to fund projects and programmes aimed at eradicating child marriage in public schools across the country especially in areas that are prone to child abuse.

The call was made during sensitization programmes themed Enactment & Implementation of a bye-law to eliminate child marriage organized by the Bella Foundation for Child and Maternal Care, in some of the government schools in Lagos including Fazilo Mar High School, Lagos City College among others.

One of the facilitators, Odonghanrd Dorinda, Gender Advocate lamented that Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest rate of child marriage.

According to her, “The general public can play a vital role in ending child marriage by raising awareness, advocating for change, and supporting the efforts of organizations like Bella Foundation and other NGOs / CSOs working to end this harmful practice.

“Other ways include, equipping ourselves about the causes and consequences of child marriage and the benefits of delaying marriage until adulthood and educating others who are less knowledgeable about this practice around us.

“Speaking out against child marriage and challenging the norms and beliefs that justify it as well as supporting the education and empowerment of especially girls, with more attention to those who are at risk of or affected by child marriage.

“Donating or volunteering for organizations that work to end child marriage and supporting the rights and needs of married children.- Reporting any cases of child marriage or suspected child marriage to the relevant authorities or organizations for immediate action.

“Child marriage is a harmful practice that affects especially girls and then lesser percentage of boys around the world. It deprives them of their rights to education, health, safety, and dignity. It also exposes them to the risks of early pregnancy, domestic violence, and poverty.

“Child marriage is not only a violation of human rights, but also a barrier to social and economic development”, she said.

One of the students of Fazilo Mar High School, Sonia Akharele, SS 2 added that it is barbaric to force a child into marriage without her consent, especially from the age of 10 and 17 years. There are lots of consequences of child marriage. However, it can be prevented if all stakeholders including the government play their parts to ensure that the menace of child marriage is curtailed.

“Government should sponsor advocacy programmes against child marriage. It should also employ counselors who would educate the students on the menace of child marriage. Government should focus on rural areas so as to ensure total abolishment of child marriage.

The organizer, Bella Akhagha, lamented major challenges including logistics, materials as well as welfare have hampered smooth running of the programmes across the state. With the hardship in the country, there is a need for more funding to be able to reach a large audience.

Speaking on the child marriage club, Akhagha noted that with the sustainability initiative, the club would be an avenue to own the club which thereafter will be globally acceptable. Adding that the foundation’s intention is to reach other local governments, and states within the country.

Meanwhile, the Vice Principal of Fazilo Mar High School, Ngozi Ezegwua, appreciated the foundation for their efforts put in place to sensitize the students in the state.