Girls campaign to end child marriage

By Kirsten Okenwa

Living in Northern Nigeria has made me somewhat thick skinned to girl-child brides. I do not cringe anymore when I pass them on the streets, or in the markets or malls. I am sure many citizens are like me. We have grown callous to this evil, and often look the other way. I used to be very vocal about my displeasure in child marriage and the resultant health and psychological problems. Now, I just try.

Child marriage continues to be one of the greatest barriers that prevent girls from realising their full potentials. It curtails their education, exposes them and their children to increased risks in childbirth, and limits their opportunities for the future. 

Unlike some of us, many young people in Africa are at the forefront of ending this practice of child marriage. Below, is the remarkable mission of a young lady, Maryam from Northern Nigeria where only 4% of girls complete secondary education. She is campaigning to end child marriage and sexual abuse, and to ensure girls have access to education and reproductive rights. Writer, singer, reporter and leader, Maryam uses her voice to hold governments accountable.

Maryam from the Save the Children Foundation :

 “I am campaigning to end to child marriage and sexual abuse, and to ensure girls have access to education and reproductive rights. For the past four years, I have worked with various organisations and the media to promote the well-being of girls. I organise discussions with adolescent girls where they talk about issues they face.I use my voice to hold government accountable. I produce songs and speak at forums on girls health and education. I am a youth reporter and the leader of the Chibok girl’s ambassadors, where I organized marches demanding the release of the Chibok girls.

I would like my community to change the mindset about educating girls because educating and empowering girls is one of the best ways to eradicate poverty. I would also like my community to change their views on child marriage, because it leads to many health challenges for girls. 

I am calling on our leaders to include us when making decisions that affect our lives. I urge them to set up programs that will remove social barriers that limit us or hurt us, and to establish laws and policies that protect our rights. 

I will be 30 when the Sustainable Development Goals will end. This means my generation is responsible for holding leaders accountable for delivering these goals. By investing in my health, my education and my decision making capacity, the cycle of poverty can be broken and all of the sustainable development goals can be achieved simply by empowering me to reach my full potential.”