Bala Ibrahim
A report from the Save the Children International on the state of the Nigerian Girl Report, showed that 78% of girls in the northern part of Nigeria marry before their 18th birthday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Media and Communications Manager, Save the Children International Nigeria issued to newsmen.
According to the Report, child marriage is common in the northwest and northeastern party of Nigeria, with 48% of girls who married by age15 and 78% by the age of 18.
“The report shows that Nigeria is one of the country with highest rates of child marriage globally with 44% of girls are married before their 18th birthday”
According to the report, its a major cause of endemic poverty, poor education outcomes, school dropout rates, a high rate of out-of-school children, and poor access to basic social, economic and healthcare services in the country.
According to Purity Oriaifo, Save the Children International Nigeria’s Girl Champion said cultural, traditional and social practices encourage gender-discriminatory norms against girls and women.
Oriaifo therefore calls for the provision and the full implementation of policies and strategies to end the problem in Nigeria.
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Also urged, the government at all levels to prioritize the passage into law of the Child Rights Act (2003) which will provide children with the necessary legal policy framework for seeking justice when their rights are denied or abused
