By
Sakina Ahmad
Stakeholders have called for greater protection of the rights of the girl child, with emphasis on ending child marriage and keeping girls in school.
The call was made in Yola, Adamawa State, during activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, themed “End child marriage and invest in girls’ rights”
The programme brought together one hundred and thirty-nine girls from nine schools to discuss issues affecting their rights, education, safety and future.
A facilitator with Amnesty International Nigeria, Rebecca Malgwi said girls had the right to education, protection, freedom of expression and to make decisions about their future.
She said everyday challenges, including household responsibilities, lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, poverty and insecurity, could prevent girls from staying in school.
Mrs Malgwi urged girls to understand and speak up for their rights, while calling for policies that promote equality and inclusion.
“So I think what I expect from the girls today is for them to understand that they should be able to know their rights, they should be able to know that they have every right to express themselves, and then they should be respected, they should be listened to, they should be treated fairly.” She said
The Media and Communications Manager, Amnesty International Nigeria, Dooshima Tsee , said child marriage deprives girls of the opportunity to complete their education and reach their full potential.
She said poverty was among the factors forcing some families to marry off their daughters, stressing the need for stronger support systems to keep girls in school.
She explained that “A lot of people have a lot of bad perceptions of girl child marriage and it’s an understanding that a lot of times parents are doing this because they see no other options, so it’s really important to expose them to support services, services that can help them keep their children in school “
Dooshima called on government and communities to ensure that girls and their families know where to seek help when their rights are violated.
She also stressed the need for accessible reporting and support mechanisms at the grassroots.
The International Day of the Girl is observed globally to draw attention to the rights, opportunities and challenges facing girls, while promoting a future where every girl can learn, grow and make informed choices about her life.
