Girl Child Day: U.S. Based Group Advocates End To Child Marriage
A U.S.-based non-governmental organisation, called the African Immigrants Resources Centre, has advocated for collective efforts to end child marriage in Nigeria.
The Convener of the group’s “Give a Girl a Pad” (GAGAP) initiative, Mrs Chimezie Oji-Kalu, made the advocacy, on Thursday, when she visited Ikenegbu Girls’ Secondary School, Owerri.
Oji-Kalu described the visit as part of the group’s activities lined up for the commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the day is observed every October 11 to celebrate the girl child and chart the way to her success.
Oji-Kalu, represented by the Imo Coordinator of the group, Mrs Winifred Ijeaku, spoke on the theme of this year’s celebration: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”
She said the theme “underscored the critical truth that protecting girls from early marriage and investing in their education, health, and leadership, is not charity, but justice and sustainable development.
“This year’s theme has emerged from consultations with girls and girl-led organisations worldwide.
“At GAGAP, we are proud to be living this mandate because this year alone, we have empowered over 5,000 girls in Imo and 52 special girls (in commemoration of my 52nd birthday), through mentorship, education, and life skills – affirming our belief in our ‘Her Choice, Her Future, Her Legacy’ mantra.“
“When communities, families, and partners invest in girls, child marriage ends, schools stay full, and futures are transformed.
“Over the past 25 years, 68 million child marriages have been prevented globally – proof that change is possible, when we act together, “ Oji-Kalu said.
She affirmed the group’s commitment to education, protection, leadership and opportunity for all girls.
She thanked the group’s partners, and supporters for their support, while promising to continue to stand for a world where every girl can learn, lead, decide, and thrive.
Newsmen reports that a major highlight of the visit was the distribution of free sanitary pads to 1,200 students in the school and two packs of sanitary pads each to 20 students for distinguishing themselves from their peers.
