The Plateau State Government has vowed to enforce existing laws against individuals involved in child marriage, warning that offenders will face appropriate legal consequences.
Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Olivia Dazyem, gave the warning during a roundtable discussion on child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
The meeting brought together community and religious leaders, teachers, gender advocates and female students from various secondary schools across Plateau State to examine the causes and consequences of child marriage and its impact on the future of the girl child.
The students were also engaged on their understanding of the dangers associated with early marriage.
The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission says child marriage remains a serious social concern requiring collective intervention, noting that its consequences extend beyond the girl child to affect families and the wider society.
Community leaders at the meeting pledged to intensify awareness campaigns in their respective communities and work with relevant stakeholders to discourage the practice.
Participants agreed that protecting the rights of the girl child and ensuring access to education and proper development are essential to building a healthier and more stable society.
(Follow AIT News on WhatsApp, AfricaIndependentTV on YouTube, ait_online on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter), and officialait on TikTok, Instagram and Threads)
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
