Women’s groups and parents in the Kadjebi District of the Oti Region have been urged to intensify efforts to protect girls from child marriage and other practices that could undermine their education and future prospects.
Madam Emma Asilevi, Kadjebi District Girls’ Education Officer, said parents and guardians had a duty to ensure that children were protected from practices that violated their rights and limited their opportunities.
She made the call during an engagement with women’s groups on the rule of law, women’s rights and the fight against corruption at Kadjebi.
Madam Asilevi said forcing children into marriage was a violation of their rights and contrary to provisions of the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560).
She urged parents to allow children, particularly girls, to remain in school and provide them with the necessary guidance and support to make informed decisions about their future.
“Children are assets, and every effort must be made to protect them and provide the necessary support for them to attain their full potential,” she said.
According to her, child marriage could disrupt girls’ education and expose them to teenage pregnancy as well as health, social and economic challenges.
She therefore appealed to parents and guardians to prioritise the education and welfare of their children instead of forcing them into early marriages.
Madam Asilevi also called on women’s groups, community leaders and other stakeholders to actively speak against child marriage and report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
She said the protection of children required the collective efforts of families, communities and institutions, stressing the need to create environments where children could grow and develop without harmful practices.
The Girls’ Education Officer further encouraged parents to educate their children about their rights and responsibilities and seek support from relevant institutions whenever challenges affecting their welfare arose.
She said empowering families and communities with knowledge of children’s rights would contribute to creating better opportunities for girls and help them realise their full potential.
