UNICEF through its Child Protection Officer, Ibrahim Sese made this known on Thursday.
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Sese advised the government and stakeholders to establish a more strict mechanism to protect children and women.
The Child Protection Officer also emphasized sensitizing children against harmful practices.
UNICEF said that Nigeria has the largest number of child marriages in Africa.
During the official launch of “The state of the Nigerian girl report. The diagnosis of child marriage and girls education in Nigeria,” Sese said that Nigeria loses $8.9 billion annually.
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“When you look at the violence against children and the economic burden on violence, Nigeria is losing $8.9 billion yearly as a result of violence against children including issues regarding child marriage,” he said.
Also, the Country Director of Save The Children International Nigeria, Mercy Guri confirmed the number.
Gichuchi said that the report was filed from a project titled “Towards ending child marriage in Katsina and Gombe States.”
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She lamented the state of the Nigerian girl child at the national level. Gichuhi noted that poor education of girls in Nigeria is the cause and result of child marriage.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen was excited about the event.
Tallen described the event as a possible paradigm shift for the girl child. She said it would impact the Sustainable Development Goals of inclusive and equitable education of the girl child.
This would impact lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
