Girl Child Int’l Day: UNICEF Canvasses Stronger, Collective Action to End Child Marriage, Empower Girls

On the International Day of the Girl Child, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is urging a united front to eradicate child marriage and guarantee equal access to education and advancement opportunities for all children, especially girls from impoverished and vulnerable backgrounds. Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, emphasized this point during the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child celebration held at Maidugu Hotel in Gombe. The theme of the event was "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls' Rights."

Rafique stressed that no nation could achieve genuine development without granting boys and girls equal chances to receive quality education and reach their full potential. Despite advancements in advocating for girls' rights, millions of girls across the globe still face discrimination, violence, poverty, and conflict, which limit their choices and prevent them from pursuing their dreams.

According to UNICEF's 2026 predictions, around one in five girls globally is married before turning 18, equating to approximately 650 million women and girls who were wed as children. Furthermore, more than 12 million girls are married annually before adulthood, with the highest prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa at 31%.

Rafique expressed worry that child marriage continues to rob girls of their education, jeopardize their health, and subject them to violence, social isolation, and mental anguish. She also highlighted how crises, conflicts, and displacement exacerbate girls' vulnerability to child marriage, sexual violence, and maternal mortality.

The UNICEF chief pointed out that girls aged 15 to 19 are twice as likely as boys to be out of education, employment, or training, while girls in fragile and conflict-affected settings have a higher risk of missing out on secondary education.

She asserted that child marriage is preventable through investments in girls' education, legal reforms, and social protection measures, which have helped prevent an estimated 68 million child marriages over the past 25 years. Rafique called for continued investment in girls' education, improved access to healthcare and social protection services, and enhanced collaboration with families and communities to challenge harmful social norms that perpetuate child marriage.

She urged stakeholders to advocate for laws and policies that safeguard girls' rights, promote their leadership, and ensure their involvement in decisions impacting their lives and future.

Rafique stressed the necessity for traditional rulers, government officials in education, health, and social sectors, women's organizations, and civil society groups to collaborate in addressing challenges facing children, especially girls. She stressed that meaningful development could only be achieved when government and community stakeholders jointly created an environment where children could learn, grow, and flourish.

Rafique also emphasized the importance of educating and empowering women, stating that their wellbeing is crucial to children's development and societal progress. She asserted that an educated, healthy, and well-nourished mother is better equipped to provide the care and support necessary for her children's development.

The Gombe State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Barrister Sani Ahmed Haruna, also addressed the issue of child marriage, describing it as a global public health and human rights concern with severe implications for child protection, education, development, and psychological well-being. Haruna, represented by Abdulrazak Abdulmumini, called for collective efforts from government, communities, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, parents, and other stakeholders to end child marriage.

He encouraged parents and community leaders to protect children's rights and foster an environment where they can access education, develop their abilities, and achieve their full potential.