The Senate has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on girl-child protection to address the pressing issues affecting the education, health, and safety of girls across the nation.
In addition, the Senate urged state governments to domesticate and enforce the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, specifically targeting the eradication of harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation.
These resolutions were passed following a motion presented by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who raised concerns about the challenges faced by the Nigerian girl child and the need for swift government intervention to safeguard their future.
Senator Kingibe expressed alarm over the prevalence of child marriage in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions. Citing the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), she highlighted that more than 44% of girls in the country are married before the age of 18, with states such as Zamfara, Bauchi, and Sokoto recording particularly high rates.
The motion received widespread support from senators, just days before the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11.
