Follow Us on Google
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Virgin Heart Foundation (VHF), a community based girl-child rights advocacy group, has raised the alarm of the creeping harmful phenomenon of child marriage in several communities of Imo State.
The Executive Director, Virgin Heart Foundation, Peace Dike, made the disclosure, at the weekend, while speaking at an awareness programe put together by the foundation to mark the International Day of the Girl-Child, themed: “End child marriage, invest in girls’ right”, held in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
Dike, who raised the alarm, noted that the ugly practice is currently prevalent in several Imo communities with underaged girls 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 who seek 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 an elderly man to cover the shame of the family, but should be rehabilitated, cared for, and sent to school. This ugly child marriage have 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.
Other News
Also, the Divisional Police Officer of Shell Camp, Mrs Juliana Obi (CSP), said that the girl child has the right to grow up and enjoy their childhood.
She said, “We have prosecuted those who violated the rights of all children. All report to the police against abuses against anybody and, especially the girl child, we investigate and, when found to be true, the offenders would face the wrath of the law. Don’t allow anybody to intimate you. When you see something, say something.”
However, she warned that girls should not allow themselves to be lured into lesbianism practice as it is against the laws of Nigeria. She said girls should report any one who tries to intimate them into becoming one and take their education seriously.
Equally, former state Director, Public Prosecution (DPP), Imo State Ministry of Justice, O.V Egwuonwu, commended the VHF for its awareness campaign on the rights of the girl-child. She pointed out that the constitution guarantees the rights of everybody, including the girl-child.
“The girl-child has rights to health care protection from violence, rape, and abuse. They have rights of expression and equality. They have rights against child marriage when they are under 18 years. Don’t allow anyone to force you into an early marriage, not 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, and Mrs Patricia Eleberi of the Ministry of Education, described child marriage as 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 wellbeing of their female children, especially in this era where women have done excellently well in all fields of endeavour. Highlights of the events were the display of cultural dances, quiz, beauty pageant by the pupils drawn from several schools in Owerri.
