The Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI) has called for stronger enforcement of laws against child marriage, warning that the practice threatens girls’ education, health and future opportunities.
The organisation urged governments, traditional and religious leaders, parents and civil society groups to step up efforts to protect girls from child marriage, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
Making the call to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, HSSI stressed that protecting girls requires more than public declarations, insisting that concrete measures must be taken to safeguard their rights and empower them to speak out against injustice.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the President of HSSI, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, highlighted the role of the Voice of the Girls Parliament in helping young girls understand their rights, build confidence and participate in decisions affecting their lives.
“Every girl deserves to grow up knowing that her voice matters, her safety matters, and her dreams are valid,” Ahmadu said.
She explained that the platform equips girls to express their concerns confidently and engage with individuals and institutions responsible for their welfare.
However, she warned that encouraging respectful communication must not prevent girls from reporting abuse, exploitation or threats to their safety.
According to her, girls should be able to seek help without fear of intimidation, discrimination or blame.
“The responsibility for protecting them rests with adults and institutions; it must never be placed on girls alone,” she said.
HSSI noted that child marriage could disrupt girls’ education, expose them to serious health risks and undermine their chances of achieving economic independence.
To tackle the problem, the organisation called for stricter implementation of existing laws against child marriage and abuse, improved access to safe and inclusive education, and support for girls at risk of dropping out of school.
It also urged authorities to establish accessible and confidential reporting channels where girls could report abuse and receive timely assistance.
Ahmadu further advocated increased investment in mentorship programmes, girl-led initiatives and leadership platforms to enable young people to contribute meaningfully to policymaking.
She called on stakeholders to ensure that girls’ views were reflected in policies and programmes designed to improve their welfare.
“As we celebrate girls today, we must match our words with action. Let us listen when they speak, protect them when they seek help, and create opportunities for them to thrive.
“Their rights are an entitlement, and safeguarding those rights is our shared responsibility,” she said.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girls’ rights and called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, families and communities to end child marriage and create a safer environment for every girl.
