The Federal Government in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), have commenced moves to end the practice of early child marriage in Nigeria.
Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Country Representative, who spoke in Abuja at a National Dialogue on Ending Child Marriage in Nigeria, said that Nigeria had nearly 25 million child brides with prevalence in Bauchi, Jigawa and Zamfara.
Munduate said child marriage was a harmful practice under international human rights law which was often associated with severe forms of violence against women and girls, including intimate partner violence.
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“In Nigeria, there are nearly 25 million child brides; with alarming prevalence rates in states such as Bauchi that has 74 per cent child brides. Also, Jigawa has 72 per cent of its children getting married before the age of 18, Katsina has little less at 69 per cent and Zamfara has nearly 67 per cent of its children getting married.’’
While calling for more investment in education for all children, the country representative said the practice of child marriage not only violated human rights but also hindered Nigeria’s social and economic development.
“A recent study by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and UNICEF estimates an annual cost of 10 billion dollars as economic burden of child marriage to the nation. The study also projects a potential GDP boost of nearly 25 per cent upon its eradication. The consequences of child marriage ripple through society, impacting not only the lives of child brides but the entire fabric of our nation,” she said.
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Also, Koessan Kwawu, Deputy Representative, UNFPA, said the practice had adverse effects on the health, education and future opportunities of the child. He called on stakeholders to seek an end to the practice.
On her part, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Minister of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, stressed on the role of all stakeholders in meeting the target of ending child marriage by 2030.
(NAN)
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