The Kwara State government has vowed to protect the girl-child in the state against early marriage.
Consequently, the state government said it was partnering the National Coalition of Civil Society To End Child Marriage in Nigeria to achieve its goal of discouraging girl-child early marriage.
The state’s deputy governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, gave the assurance in Ilorin, the state capital, when members of the coalition paid him a visit in his office.
Alabi, who emphasised the urgent need to protect young girls from child marriage, cited its harmful effects on their mental health and future aspirations.
“Those below 18 cannot survive marriage because it requires compromise and commitment and this is for better, for worse. The girls lose their vision, we need to protect our girls from early marriage,” he said.
Alabi also emphasised the importance of implementation of laws to curb such practices, while assuring his visitors of partnership through the State’s Ministry of Social Development.
He assured that the state government would continue to implement progressive measures to safeguard the girls.
Earlier, the national co-chair of the Coalition, Mr Kolawole Olatosimi, had commended the state government for its proactive efforts in enforcing girl-child protection policies.
Olatosimi described Kwara as one of the leading states implementing such initiatives and urged the government to strengthen legal protections to those at risk and victims of child marriage.
He appealed for a budget release to fund girl-child initiatives that will empower them in their education and skills acquisition.
He pledged the coalition’s support for government initiatives, aimed at improving the lives of women and girls.
Olatosimi later presented a policy report and analysis on girl-child protection for the government’s consideration.
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