The Director, National Women Coordination, for the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign and immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social Inclusion in Oyo State; Hon (Mrs) Toyin Balogun has called on policy makers, families, communities, and the government, to protect the rights of the Girl Child, ensure access to Education and invest in their Health and well-being.
This charge was contained in a press release to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child,an International Observance celebrated annually every October 11th
The 2026 edition has the theme:”End Child Marriage,Invest in Girls Rights “
UNFORTUNATE REALITY
.Every three seconds, child marriage cuts a girl’s childhood short. One in five girls worldwide is married before the age of 18.
.Child marriage compromises the education, health and safety of millions of girls across the globe. Fundamentally, it is rooted in poverty.
- 1 in 5 girls worldwide is married before the age of 18 meanwhile, early marriages rob young girls of education, health, and economic independence.
. Available data shows 33.4% of young women in Nigeria married before the age of 18.
UNICEF also reports that 7.6 million Nigerian girls are out of school, with half in the North and half in the South.Behind these dismal figures are girls whose education, opportunities, autonomy and ability to shape their futures are constrained.
Child marriage is not just about the age at which a girl marries. It disrupts her education,health and economic prospects, limits autonomy and increases vulnerability to violence and coercion. Poverty, harmful social norms, discrimination and weak protection systems further narrow the choices available to girls.
ACTIONS THE MAKINDE-DAURA PRESIDENCY WILL BE TAKING
- Keeping the Girl Child in School: The Makinde led government will replicate the free education policy instituted in Oyo State which has tremendously reduced the very high Out-Of-School-Children Index
- Vocational/Artisanal Training programs & Conventional Educational Programs will be put in place:
This rehabilitate young girls already involved in child marriage so they can take care of themselves and support their family
.*Implementation and enforcement of existing child-protection laws, whilst addressing the gaps that leave girls vulnerable
.Strengthening of Child-friendly justice and protection mechanisms so that girls can report violations safely and receive timely support
.Legal aid and protection services, particularly for girls in poor, rural, remote and underserved communities
.Survivors will be protected:Survivors will be protected from retaliation, stigma and further harm when they seek justice.
.Progress will be measured; by the number of girls protected, supported and with the ability to remain in or return to school.
- Expansion of Healthcare Access:Policies will be put in place to address gaps in healthcare for Child Bride victims These inclusive healthcare policies will also deliver inclusive sexual and reproductive health services tailored to adolescents.
Delivery of adolescent-responsive sexual and reproductive health services will be prioritised
.
- Engage Communities:
Community Sensitization Programs will be put in place to educate our diverse communities on the negative effects of early Girl Child Marriage like the danger of Vesico Vaginal Fistula ,Maternal and Neonatal Mortality(Death of mother or child during childbirth) etc - Reduce nationally high Out-Of-School-Children Index: This will be achieved by expanding access to quality education and safe learning environments to ensure Girl Children are able to enrol and remain in school
Together,all hands must be on deck to support the Nigerian Girl Child to enable her attain her maximum potentials
Hon(Mrs) Toyin BALOGUN
DIRECTOR WOMEN COORDINATION
MAKINDE-DAURA PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN
