On the eve of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has issued a statement demanding an end to child marriage and increased funding for girls’ rights.
Morenikeji Sobaloju, chairperson of NAWOJ, issued a statement on Sunday stating that the organization’s theme for this year is “Ending Child Marriage and Investing in Girls’ Rights.” The statement emphasised the importance of safeguarding every girl’s right to education, safety, and informed choice.
The group claimed that girls lose out on their formative years, have their educations halted, their health jeopardised, and their potential as contributors to society curtailed when they are married off at a young age.
Every girl should be able to learn, develop, make educated decisions, and reach her full potential free from fear, prejudice, and damaging cultural customs; this is something that Sobaloju stressed over and over again.
To put a stop to the practice, NAWOJ called on the government, parents, religious and traditional authorities, and civil society to work together.
The report urged the appropriate authorities to do more to ensure that children are safe, to increase the number of girls who have access to high-quality education, and to foster an environment where girls may reach their full potential.
We women journalists stand resolute in our mission to elevate the voices of girls, reveal harmful behaviours, and ensure that those responsible are held to account through the media.
Ending the practice of child marriage and providing all girls with the chance for a brighter future is a universal human right. A better society, stronger families, and healthier communities are the results of investing in girls, according to Sobaloju.
On October 11, the world celebrates the International Day of the Girl Child, a day set aside to bring attention to the difficulties girls face and to advocate for gender parity.