Abuja:The Blazing Pearls Initiative Network (BPIN), in collaboration with the Skilled Heroic Empowered Initiative, has called for an end to child marriage to protect the rights of girls, promote their education, and support national development. This appeal was made during an event commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, themed ‘End Child Marriage, Invest in Their Future,’ highlighted the importance of protecting girls’ rights and expanding educational opportunities. Mrs. Lucia Hiikyaa, founder of BPIN, emphasized the need to educate girls about their rights and encourage parental and community support for their development as essential steps in ending child marriage.
Hiikyaa urged parents to allow girls to complete their education, progress through various life stages, and make informed decisions about their futures without societal pressure. She stated that investing in girls’ education would equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to society and the national economy.
Ms. Ejura Odaudu, founder of the Skilled Heroic Empowered Initiative, stressed the importance of empowering girls to pursue their aspirations without adult responsibilities. She noted that child marriage is a significant barrier to girls’ education, often redirecting them from careers and opportunities toward early marriage.
The event also featured student testimonies, with Blessing Okoro pledging to focus on her education after learning about the harms of child marriage, and Regina Agaba aspiring to become an engineer, underscoring education as crucial support for her ambitions. Some parents in the community expressed optimism that the program would sensitize them to the importance of supporting girls’ education.