Women lawyers in Kogi State have called for stronger measures to end child marriage and safeguard the rights of the girl child, urging parents, government and community leaders to prioritise girls’ education and development.
The call was made by the Kogi State branch of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) during activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, themed “End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
Addressing female students at Crowder Memorial College, the state coordinator of AWLA, Joy Akinola, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls across Nigeria.
Akinola stressed that ending child marriage required collective action, noting that no single organisation could tackle the practice without the support of families, communities and government institutions.
She said, “All hands must be on deck to put an end to this societal menace. We must create an environment where every girl can pursue her dreams, complete her education and make informed decisions about her future.”
Sharing her personal experience, an Area Court judge, Shifao Isah, who said she married before turning 18, recounted the challenges she faced after discovering that she and her husband had the same AS genotype.
“I was a child when I got married, and I did not know that my husband and I had the same AS genotype. Unfortunately, we had a child with sickle cell disease, and the experience continues to affect me to this day. My marriage has since collapsed, and I am still living with the consequences,” she said.
Isah urged the students not to rush into marriage at the expense of their education and personal development.
“Do not be in a hurry to become a wife and forget the woman you have the opportunity to become. Your education, dreams and future matter. It is time to invest in the girl child and protect her rights for the benefit of society,” she added.
The judge also encouraged the students to remain focused on their studies, describing education as an important tool for personal growth, independence and a better future.
Similarly, the secretary of AWLA in Kogi State, Juliana Ajayi, expressed concern over the emotional and psychological consequences of forcing girls into marriage before they are mature enough to understand its responsibilities.
“Marrying off a girl at an early age, when she is not emotionally or psychologically prepared, is deeply troubling. The girl child needs guidance, mentorship and opportunities to develop her potential,” Ajayi said.
She added, “Rather than pushing girls into early marriage, society must invest in their education, provide positive role models and empower them to become responsible and independent adults.”
Some of the participating students, including Anako Salma, Ibrahim Hannatu and Ihueze Esther, also appealed to parents to abandon the practice of forcing their daughters into early marriage.
They urged parents to support their children’s education, saying that investing in girls would give them a better chance of achieving their ambitions and contributing meaningfully to society.
“We want our parents to give us the opportunity to complete our education and pursue our dreams. Girls deserve the same opportunity to build a better future,” the students said.
The event ended with the distribution of sanitary pads and exercise books to participating students, in a move aimed at supporting their educational needs and menstrual hygiene.
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote the rights of girls, highlight the challenges they face and advocate greater opportunities for their empowerment and development.
