CSACEFA Delta Calls for End to Child Marriage, Greater Investment in Girls’ Education

The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Delta State Chapter, has called on government, parents and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to end child marriage, protect the rights of the girl child and ensure access to quality education for every girl.

The call was made in Asaba as the coalition joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, which provides an opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing girls and renew collective commitment to protecting their rights, dignity, education and future.

The Delta State Coordinator of CSACEFA , Mrs Juliana Nzemeke said many girls continue to face challenges, including child marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, poverty, discrimination and limited access to opportunities.

She noted that these challenges deprived girls of their childhood, limited their aspirations and undermined their ability to contribute meaningfully to society.

According to her, CSACEFA believes that no girl should be denied education because of her gender or forced into marriage before attaining the physical, emotional and mental maturity required to make informed decisions about her life.

She stressed the need to create a safe and supportive environment in which girls could thrive, urging stakeholders to challenge harmful practices, promote awareness, strengthen child protection systems and ensure the effective enforcement of laws protecting children.

Mrs Nzemehe also appealed to parents and guardians to encourage girls to pursue education and develop their talents rather than expose them to early marriage and other practices capable of jeopardising their future.

She further urged the government and relevant authorities to sustain investment in girls’ education, implement child protection policies effectively and strengthen collaboration with Civil Society Organizations to ensure that every girl in Delta State had access to quality education and opportunities to succeed.

A representative of FIDA, Asaba Branch,Oke Eyesio Obakoro Esq.  also called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for the welfare and development of their daughters.

She urged them to discourage early marriage and help girls understand that the decisions made about their lives could significantly shape their future.

The FIDA representative also appealed to the government to ensure that existing laws designed to protect the girl child were effectively implemented, stressing the need to make society safer for girls to grow, learn and achieve their aspirations.

Also speaking, the Unit Coordinator of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Pastor Mrs Esonye Dorothy, said educating, protecting and empowering girls benefited not only the individuals concerned but also their families, communities and the nation.

She maintained that every girl deserved the right to education and the freedom to make informed decisions about her future.

The Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Olorogun Samuel Marere who was represented by the 3rd member of SUBEB , Mrs Josephine Edjeren, emphasised that protecting the girl child was a collective responsibility.

Mrs Edjeren  commended CSACEFA in Delta State for its collaboration and commitment to advancing girls’ education.

He called for sustained efforts to safeguard girls’ rights and ensure access to quality education in an environment free from intimidation, discrimination and child marriage.

The event ended with a call for the government to strengthen the implementation of existing policies protecting the girl child and empower teachers to identify and reach out to girls who had dropped out of school or stopped attending classes.

The 2026 International Day of the Girl Child is themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”