CGE Calls for End to Child Marriage, Greater Investment in Girls’ Education and Rights
- Published on October 15, 2026
- By By Peace Moses and Umar Sulaiman
Officials of the Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) and other dignitaries in a group photograph during the Centre’s commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, held under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
ZARIA, Kaduna State — The Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) has called for an end to child marriage and increased investment in girls’ education and rights, urging the government and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for girls to access education, develop essential life skills and realise their potential.
The call was made during the Centre’s commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, which is observed annually on 11 October. The Centre held the event on Thursday, 15 October 2026, under the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.” The annual observance highlights the importance of protecting girls’ rights and addressing the challenges that hinder their education, development and participation in society.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Girls’ Education, Hajiya Habiba Muhammad, emphasised the importance of including girls in decisions affecting their lives.
“There is nothing for us without us. Every girl has a voice, capacity and potential,” she said, urging stakeholders to support girls in pursuing their aspirations and determining their futures.
Muhammad called on the government to take over and expand the type of work undertaken by the Centre to reach more girls across communities and rural areas.
“Our hope is that the government will take over the type of work that we do and invest in the girls, so that everywhere you go, communities and villages you will find girls in uniform going to school, dreaming big and reaching their potential,” she said.
The Director explained that the commemoration provided an opportunity to empower girls to speak up, exercise agency, stand up for themselves and develop the confidence to pursue their ambitions. She added that education and critical life skills were essential in enabling girls to navigate their environments and make informed decisions about their lives.
The event brought together students, teachers, parents, community leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders to discuss the importance of creating an environment in which every girl could access education, enjoy her rights and develop her abilities.
Representatives of government education agencies, development programmes, traditional institutions and other organisations also participated in the event, contributing perspectives on supporting girls’ education and development. Among the institutions represented were the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the Ministry of Education, AGILE, the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), counselling and human development institutions at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Zaria Local Government education authority.
Activities marking the commemoration included awareness campaigns, speeches, interactive sessions and drama presentations designed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and the importance of investing in their education and empowerment.
The Centre also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, families and other stakeholders to expand girls’ access to education, strengthen child-protection systems and address cultural and social practices that undermine their rights and wellbeing.
The commemoration reflects the Centre’s continued engagement with issues affecting children and women, particularly the education, rights and welfare of the girl child, through its participation in national and international observances.