By Innocent Odoh Irked by the menace of child marriage and the concomitant devastation of the Virginal Vesicular Fistula (VVF) on woman and girls in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Perry John Calderwood and popular Nollywood actress, Stephanie Okeke-Linus, have intensified campaigns to end the menace.
Speaking during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Canadian envoy noted that his country has invested about $80 million and is using its diplomatic missions across the continent to emphasize the need to actively bring an end to child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) globally, adding that education remains the instrument through which women and girls can be liberated from the clutches of child marriage and poverty.
He pointed out that in order to end child marriage, it is essential that girls be offered a quality, gender-sensitive and accessible education and tasked stakeholders to find solutions to those factors, which make it difficult for parents to keep their girls in school.
He said further that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are also key priorities shared by both Canada and African States, stressing that the $80 million is targeted funding for the prevention of child, early and forced marriage, protecting those at risk and supporting already married girls and women. He said that this will help governments across Africa to develop strategies to deliver the Sustainable Development Goal target on child marriage.
He disclosed that an estimated 15 million girls are forced into child marriage around the world each year adding that several countries in Africa have the highest rates of child marriage globally. “Two in every five African girls are married before the age of 18.This practice is a violation of girl’s human rights and it undermines the development of their families, communities and countries,” he said.
In her remarks, Okereke –Linus, who lamented the harrowing experience the girl child goes through under the harmful practice of child marriage, said that when a young girl whose body is not mature enough for child birth is placed under such strenuous condition without proper medical care, the consequences are often devastating.
“15 million girls are married off as children every year around the world. 62 million girls around the world are not in school. Millions more are fighting to stay there. This means that more than 62 million girls cannot develop their full potential because they do not have the chance to attend school,” she lamented.
The actress is using her multiple award-winning movie ‘DRY’ to deepen conversation about the dangers of child marriage and VVF on the African girl-child as well as the need to protect her.
