Group photo of pupils, after the human right sensitization in Cross River state, Nigeria
Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) continues to undermine the futures of numerous young girls in Nigeria, depriving them of their aspirations due to entrenched socio-cultural and traditional practices. Despite the existence of international frameworks aimed at combating CEFM, these have not been fully adopted across many Nigerian states. Nigeria’s position as the third highest globally for the number of child brides underscores the urgent need to address this issue. Currently, 1 in 13 girls aged 15-19 in Nigeria is married before the age of 15, highlighting the severity of the problem.
CEFM exacerbates violence against women and girls, heightening their vulnerability and depriving them of fundamental rights. The underlying causes of CEFM are multifaceted, rooted in cultural, social, religious, and economic factors, particularly in remote communities. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.
The Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) has undertaken significant efforts to confront this social challenge through its Community Action to End Child Early and Forced Marriage (CAECEFM) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This intervention aimed to reduce CEFM in Cross River and Jigawa States and was implemented across 14 communities in 7 local government areas. The project employed a combination of awareness-raising, advocacy, community-driven sensitization, socio-economic empowerment, and research to achieve its objectives.
Key Achievements of the Project Include:
- Empowerment of At-Risk Girls and Survivors:
- Vocational and Financial Skills: The project trained 82 girls in vocational and financial literacy skills, thereby enhancing their resilience against CEFM. Additionally, CWSI facilitated the opening of bank accounts for 20 girls in Cross River State, promoting financial independence.
- Psychosocial Support: The project provided psychological counseling and dignity kits to 267 survivors of CEFM and other forms of violence.
- Medical Assistance: Life-saving medical care was administered to a 17-year-old girl from Jigawa State.
- Child-Friendly Safe Spaces: Monthly sessions supported 331 at-risk boys and girls by offering emotional support, counseling, and life skills training.
- Human Rights Education in Schools:
- Training and Clubs: The project educated 547 boys and girls on human rights, abuse reporting, and healthy behaviors. Additionally, 18 Human Rights Clubs were established in the target LGAs.
- Community Engagement and Awareness:
- Education and Support: The project informed 2,340 community members about the importance of girls’ education and the dangers of CEFM. In Cross River State, support groups advocating against child marriages led to reductions in teen pregnancies and increased school enrollment. In Jigawa State, community efforts successfully prevented several instances of forced marriages.
- Media Advocacy:
- Campaigns: CWSI launched a media campaign utilizing hashtags, Twitter spaces, and radio programs to promote girls’ education and raise awareness about the impacts of CEFM.
- Capacity Strengthening:
- Training Leaders: The project trained 91 traditional and community leaders to establish bylaws prohibiting child marriage. These leaders also facilitated conflict resolution and collaborated with civil society organizations to report cases of sexual abuse.
- Research and Publication:
- Study and Insights: CWSI conducted a study that identified key trends and root causes of CEFM in the target states. The research revealed varying perceptions of CEFM trends, with Cross River State showing a perceived reduction and Jigawa State indicating an increase.
CWSI’s initiatives in Jigawa and Cross River States exemplify the effectiveness of community-driven, multi-faceted approaches in combating Child Early and Forced Marriage. The success of the project underscores the necessity of ongoing efforts to empower girls, engage communities, and enforce protective legislation, ensuring that the aspirations of young girls in Nigeria are not curtailed by harmful practices.
