A non-governmental organization, Bella Foundation for Child and Maternal Care, has partnered with the government to put an end to child marriage in Lagos State.
News About Nigeria gathered that this partnership comes after the organization launched its ‘Too Young to Marry’ magazine in Lagos State to ensure the enactment of by-laws against child marriage in all local governments in the state.
Speaking at the launch, the Founder, Bella Akhagba, Bella Foundation for Child and Maternal Care, revealed that the organization is advocating against child marriage. They are doing this by organizing regular seminars, advocacy, and workshops.
She further noted that the foundation is responsible for advocating the enactment of by-laws against child marriage in all local governments in Nigeria, especially in Lagos State.
According to her, the journey of advocating against child marriage began in the Ojo local government area of Lagos and then moved to Lagos Mainland in Ijora and Makoko communities.
The advocacy, she noted, aims to work together with the local government officers and other people at the grassroots to advocate the enactment of by-laws against child marriage.
She further noted that the foundation has succeeded in drafting the by-law against child marriage as they have been able to meet with officers of the Ojo Local Government Area of the state.
She disclosed that the foundation’s objective, which was to identify 10 teenagers who are survivors of child marriage, has been successful as they have been able to help survivors of child marriage return to school.
“Some of them, who dropped out of school due to child marriage, are now back in school,” she said.
She lauded the commitment of civil societies and the media in ensuring the success of the advocacy.
