The Plateau State Government has officially resolved to strictly implement extant legislation prohibiting child marriage, serving a stern notice that offenders will face the full wrath of the law. Olivia Dazyem, Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, delivered this caution while addressing stakeholders during a roundtable conversation centered on underage marriage and teenage pregnancy within the region.
What prompted the stakeholders' engagement?
The interactive session convened traditional rulers, religious figures, educators, gender rights campaigners, and female pupils from multiple post- primary institutions to analyze the primary drivers of underage marriage. Attendees also examined the profound negative effects such practices exert on the holistic advancement of the female child.
During the proceedings, adolescent attendees received sensitization regarding the hazards linked to premature unions and how such occurrences jeopardize their educational aspirations. Representatives from the commission categorized child marriage as a critical societal menace demanding a united front, emphasizing that the fallout ripples outward to affect immediate relatives and the broader community.
How are local communities responding?
Traditional and religious authorities present at the forum committed to scaling up sensitization drives across their respective domains. They also promised to work alongside key institutional partners to eradicate the tradition. Stakeholders unanimously underscored the necessity of safeguarding foundational rights for young girls, guaranteeing unhindered access to formal learning environments, and fostering viable platforms for sustainable personal growth.
In tandem with these grassroots commitments, the state administration reiterated its absolute resolve to shield vulnerable youth and ensure that legal frameworks meant to deter underage unions are rigorously executed across all local government areas.