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Foundation marks International Day of the Girl-Child
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The Virgin Heart Foundation (VHF), a community-based girl-child rights advocacy group, has raised the alarm over the creeping harmful phenomenon of child marriage in several communities of Imo State.
Peace Dike, the Executive Director, Virgin Heart Foundation, disclosed this at the weekend, while speaking at an awareness programme put together by the foundation to mark the International Day of the Girl-Child, themed: “End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights”, held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Dike, who raised the alarm, noted that it is the ugly practice in several Imo communities where underage girls are being subjected to early marriage.
“Before this time, we used to say that child marriage is not part of our tradition because we only see that in the northern part of the country. As a community-based advocacy group for the rights of the girl-child, we have shockingly discovered that in several communities, teenage girls who were sexually abused and as a result became pregnant are married off by their parents to elderly men who have no wives or to childless couples seeking children.
“The parents are doing this simply to cover the family’s shame. We are fighting against this ugly phenomenon. Child marriage is a harmful practice that has to stop.
Continuing, “A girl who is sexually abused does not need to be married off to elderly men to cover the shame of the family, but should be rehabilitated, cared for and sent to school. This ugly child marriage has left many of the victims with severe health challenges like VVF and other reproductive health issues which have caused them both physical and psychological agony.”
Dike strongly admonished parents to invest in their daughters and assist them to achieve their dreams.
Also, Mrs Juliana Obi (CSP), the Divisional Police Officer of Shell Camp, said that the girl-child has the right to grow up and enjoy her childhood.
She said, “We have prosecuted those who violated the rights of all children. All reports to the police against abuses against anybody and especially the girl-child, we investigate and when found to be true, the offenders will face the wrath of the law. Don’t allow anybody to intimidate you. When you see something, say something.”
However, she warned that they should not allow themselves to be lured into lesbianism practice, as it is against the laws of Nigeria and should report anyone who tries to intimidate them into becoming one, but take their education seriously.
Equally, Barr O. V. Egwuonwu, former state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of Imo State Ministry of Justice, commended the VHF for its awareness campaign on the rights of the girl-child.
She pointed out that the constitution has guaranteed the right of everybody, including the girl-child.
“The girl-child has rights to health care, protection from violence, rape, abuse. They have rights of expression, equality. They have rights against child marriage when they are under 18 years. Don’t allow anyone to force you into an early marriage, even your parents. The VAPP Law in Imo State protects the child. You should report to the police or to this foundation whenever your rights have been violated and they will take it up. Don’t keep quiet when your rights have been abused.”
Similarly, several other speakers, including Dr Arinze Olemba of the Ministry of Health, Mrs Patricia Eleberi of Ministry of Education, said that child marriage is a criminal act against the girl-child, which must be fought as it is against the tradition of the Igbo.
They said that parents should invest in the education and well-being of their female children, especially in this era where women have done excellently well in all fields of endeavour.
Highlights of the event were the display of cultural dances, quiz, beauty pageant competition by the pupils drawn from several schools in Owerri.
