Lokoja:Ms. Joyce Haruna, a sexual and gender-based violence advocate, has urged for more decisive actions to end child marriage and protect the rights and future of girls.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Haruna made her appeal in Lokoja on Tuesday, in conjunction with the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, themed ‘End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights’. She emphasized that every girl should have access to quality education, healthcare, protection from abuse, and opportunities to realize her potential.
Haruna stressed that child marriage violates girls’ rights and dignity, strips them of educational opportunities, and exposes them to unnecessary risks. She called on parents and guardians to focus on their daughters’ education and well-being instead of succumbing to early marriage due to poverty, social pressure, or harmful cultural practices.
Community and religious leaders were also urged to denounce practices that violate girls’ rights and to support initiatives that foster safe environments for their development. Furthermore, Haruna called on governments to enhance the enforcement of child protection laws, increase investments in girls’ education, support vulnerable families, and establish effective channels for reporting abuse.
The advocate highlighted the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and insisted that protecting girls must extend beyond public statements and annual events. She stressed the need for concrete policies, adequate funding, and measurable actions to address the challenges girls face.
Community involvement was deemed essential by Haruna, who encouraged residents to report suspected abuse cases and support organizations working to protect vulnerable children. She affirmed that no girl should be forced into marriage at the expense of her education, safety, and future, advocating for every child’s right to grow, learn, and make informed life choices.
She concluded by urging stakeholders to go beyond awareness campaigns and implement practical measures to safeguard girls’ rights and expand their opportunities, asserting that investing in girls’ rights is key to building safer communities, strengthening families, and fostering a more equitable society. Haruna called on Nigerians to come together to protect the childhood, dignity, and future of every girl.