Group Canvases for Girl Child Education, End to Child Marriage

By Praise Chinecherem

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, Okpotokpo Adaigbo Niile Worldwide (OANW), a leading Igbo humanitarian and socio-cultural organization, has called for compulsory education for the girl child, an end to child marriage, gender pay equality, and greater access to funding for women.

In a statement to mark the occasion, Iyom Ambassador Dr. Chinelo Cynthia Nwokolo, Founder and President General of OANW, emphasized the urgent need to end all forms of violence against women and children, stop unpaid labor for women, ensure access to quality healthcare, and promote women’s leadership and political participation. She stressed that achieving these goals would empower women to reach their highest potential, fulfill their dreams, and ultimately eradicate gender inequality.

Reiterating this stance, Princess Adadioramma Nneka Maduka, Director of OANW Youth Wing, Houston, Texas, USA, reinforced the organization’s commitment to fighting child marriage in Africa, describing it as a major barrier to gender equality.

OANW Declares: “No to Child Marriage in Africa”

Child marriage, where one partner—often a girl—is under 18, is a grave violation of human rights, Maduka noted. Citing UNICEF statistics, she revealed that approximately 12 million girls are married off in childhood every year, with a girl between ages 13-17 becoming a bride every three seconds.

Maduka highlighted the devastating effects of child marriage, including: School dropouts and lack of education, Severe health risks, including obstetric fistula and birth complications, Limited financial independence, leading to poverty.

Others are Mental and physical abuse, Loss of dreams and aspirations, Vulnerability to older spouses, molestation, and extreme trauma, Enslavement through unpaid domestic labor.

Call to Action: Ending Girl Child Marriage in Africa

To combat this crisis, OANW Youth Wing is advocating for key policy changes, including: Legal recognition of unpaid domestic labor, ensuring fair compensation for housewives; Enactment of a Girl Child Marriage Restraint Act in Africa, similar to India’s Child Marriage Restraint Act (1929) and Prevention of Child Marriage Act (2006)

Increased access to education for girls; Workforce training and skill development programs; Leadership and mentorship initiatives for young women; Improved access to healthcare services; Stronger advocacy for girls’ rights, including the prevention of early and forced marriages

A Call for Collective Action

As the world embraces the 2025 IWD theme, “Accelerating Action for Gender Equality,” Okpotokpo Adaigbo Niile Worldwide urges governments, policymakers, and communities to take decisive steps in ending child marriage and ensuring that every girl has the right to education, dignity, and a future free from oppression.

The fight against gender inequality is a shared responsibility, and by taking bold actions, Africa can empower its women and secure a better future for the next generation.