Draft policy Agenda Presented
Efforts to eliminate child marriage in Nigeria are receiving a significant boost as the National Coalition of Civil Society to End Child Marriage (NCCEM) convenes a three-day review and validation meeting. Themed “Strengthening Strategies to End Child Marriage,” the event is taking place in a hybrid format at the Daughters of Abraham Centre in Abuja, from November 25 to 27, 2024.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the draft of the first-ever policy agenda for Nigeria on ending child marriage by Dr. Mrs. Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor, a consultant and Managing Director of Emerald International Development Services Limited. The draft, titled Policy and Stakeholder Research and Analysis on Child Marriage in Nigeria, offers a comprehensive analysis of the legal, educational, health, and social protection frameworks that influence child marriage in the country. The study also identifies critical gaps and proposes actionable recommendations.
“Child marriage is not just a violation of human rights but a barrier to sustainable development. Our work is to harmonise policies and create systems that empower girls to achieve their full potential,” Dr. Otive-Igbuzor emphasised during her presentation.
Key Findings from the Draft Policy Report
The report highlights alarming statistics, particularly that 43% of Nigerian women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18, according to the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey. It cites socio-cultural, economic, and religious factors as major drivers, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions, where poverty and conflict exacerbate the issue.
Discrepancies in Nigeria’s legal frameworks, such as contradictions between statutory, customary, and Sharia laws, undermine efforts to protect children. While the Child Rights Act prohibits marriage under 18, only 35 states have domesticated it, with implementation remaining inconsistent.
Educational access is another major factor, with dropout rates among girls increasing the likelihood of early marriages. The report underscores the correlation between education and delayed marriage, noting that girls with secondary or higher education are three times less likely to marry early.
Recommendations
Dr. Otive-Igbuzor’s report proposes harmonising statutory, customary, and Sharia laws to set 18 as the minimum marriage age nationwide and expanding safe school programmes along with gender-responsive teacher training. The report also proposes the strengthening adolescent health services and comprehensive sexuality education, increasing funding for conditional cash transfers tied to school attendance and engaging religious and traditional leaders to challenge harmful practices.
Stakeholder Engagement
Dr (Mrs) Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor (right) interacting with participantsThe civil society coalition has brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and traditional authorities to refine the draft report and mobilise resources for its implementation. Representatives from the different community groups pledged to prioritise the domestication and enforcement of protective laws.
“Ending child marriage requires a united, multi-sectoral approach. This meeting represents a critical step toward achieving that goal,” said a coalition coardinator, Mr Kola Olatosimi.
The final policy agenda is expected to be unveiled at the conclusion of the meeting, setting the stage for renewed advocacy and concrete action against child marriage in Nigeria.
According to Hajiya Mariam Abubakar, the report should include success stories such as cash transfers that have been working in states like as Kaduna in North West Nigeria.
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