Child marriage has been described as a violation of children’s human rights, with a caution to parents and guardians to desists from the act.
Prof Onwuka (3rd Right) receiving an award from wife of Abia state Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti (2nd Right) at the event.
The Director, Centre for Gender Youth and Child Development (CGYCD), Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka who stated this recently during her keynote speech at the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child, in Umuahia Abia State, revealed that child marriage represents the devastating end of childhood for 40 million girls worldwide.
Prof. Onwuka delivering her keynote speech at the event
She identified child marriage as a major factor that has continued to rob millions of girls around the world of their childhood, insisting that it forces them out of education and into a life of poor prospects, with increased risk of violence, abuse, ill health or early death.
Prof. Onwuka, however, said that while boys are
also married as children, child marriage affects girls in greater numbers and with consequences which can be devastating for their health and well-being.
The Professor of Soil Chemistry further advocated for equal opportunities and rights for girls alongside their male counterparts.
She advocated that girls should be given equal opportunities with their male counterpart to showcase their ingenuity and contribute to the advancement of the society.
She lamented that 7.9 million out-of-school girls are quite worrisome, urging parents to take advantage of the free basic education in Abia state to train their children especially the girl child.
The founder, Hope for Farmers, Women and Girls Initiatives (HOFWGI), further enjoined girls to carry themselves with dignity and avoid gifts that would expose them to abuse and sexual exploitations.
Contributing, the wife of Abia State Governor Mrs. Prescilla Chidinma Otti has reiterated her commitment towards protecting and empowering the girl child in the state.
The Abia first lady assured girls and women that she would collaborate with Ministry of Women Affairs to restore sanity and bring an end to all forms of abuse of the girl child in the State
She maintained that she would make the State a living hell for anyone harbouring the thought of exploiting the young girls
The Abia first lady who described the theme of the event; “Girls Vision For the Future” as timely and critical to the collective aspirations of state, renewed her commitment to building a world where every young girl can thrive, dream and achieve greatness without any hindrances
She regretted how the worsening economic situation has made most parents to neglect their duty of taking care of the young girls to pursue wealth and other responsibilities, adding that the girls often times are victims of exploitation, sexual abuse and violence
In her remark, the Commissioner for women Affairs Dr. Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, described a Girl child as a female between the ages of 0-19 years, adding that the period marks the crucial stage of human development when one is faced with various social, cultural barriers and peers influences which most times subject them to early marriage, abuses and other vices. She called for a collective support to address the situation
In a related development, the members of HOFWGI in collaboration with the Center for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) Abia State, marked this year’s International Day of the Girl Child with Treasure International School, Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA, Abia state.
The founder, Hope for Farmers Women and Girls Initiative (HOFWGI); an NGO that caters for the wellbeing and progress of rural farmers, vulnerable women and girls in the society, further enjoined the girls to carry themselves with dignity and do not allow anyone to exploit them in the guise of helping them.
She encouraged them to take their studies seriously and shun social vices that would endanger their lives and academics
Prof. Onwuka presenting gifts awards to learners recently.
In his speech, Dr. Edwin Fashola who is one of the board members of the NGO admonished the girls to behave in a way that will not jeopardize their futures. He encouraged them to study hard as investing now in their academics will pave the way for a bright future for them.
In her vote of thanks, Pst. Mrs. Stella Omejiaku thanked them for adopting their school for the past five years such programme.
She added that the cash gift given to learners annually has been one of the motivating factors for girls, compelling them to study harder.
Highlights of the visit were awards of cash gifts to best students in sciences to alleviate the cost of school fees, while textbooks, writing materials among others were also distributed.
