Save The Children International says an estimated 44% of girls in Nigeria are married before their 18th birthday
In its Global Girlhood Report 2021,the group
said the development placed Nigeria as one of the highest rate of child marriage globally.
The report was released in commemoration of International Day of the Girl.
The report added that the early marriage rates in Nigeria are not likely to decrease now on account of the fact that Nigerian girls are living in one of the most difficult times.
It said:”As a result of armed conflict, humanitarian crisis, kidnapping, natural disaster, displacement, COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, the lives of millions of girls are threatened to be pushed into the basket of deprivation, including reduced access to education, nutrition, lack of protection and lack of access to basic social services.More than an estimated 22,000 girls a year are dying from pregnancy and childbirth resulting from child marriage”, according to new analysis from Save the Children released on International Day of the Girl.
Commenting,Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said gender inequality continues to fuel child marriage.
He added:”An incisive diagnosis of child, early and forced marriage in Nigeria, according to a survey carried out by the organisation, the belief that children born to young mothers are healthier and smarter is widespread among many communities.There’s also a common perception that younger girls “refresh” older men with their ‘younger blood”
