Two hundred students of Blessed Academy and Comprehensive College, Jos, have been sensitised on child marriage, girls’ rights, leadership, and online safety in an initiative aimed at encouraging young people to challenge harmful practices and protect their peers.
The programme, organised by the Ochaworth Leadership and Community Development Initiative (OWLACDI) in partnership with the Women’s Initiative for Stability, Health and Empowerment (WISE-H), The Blessing Bassey Foundation, and the Alliance for Women and Girls (AFWAG/Nigeria), held on Thursday, October 8, ahead of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
Held under the theme “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” the interactive session brought together senior secondary school students to examine issues affecting the safety, education, and future of girls.
Discussions focused on the physical and psychological consequences of early marriage, the importance of keeping girls in school, and the need to protect children from abuse and exploitation. Students also received guidance on recognising online harassment, avoiding digital risks, and reporting abuse through appropriate channels.
The engagement provided an opportunity for students to ask questions, share their concerns, and discuss how they could contribute to creating a safer and more supportive school environment.
Speaking during the programme, the OWLACDI team stressed that girls should have the opportunity to complete their education, develop their abilities, and pursue leadership roles without being forced into early marriage.
“When you invest in a girl, you invest in a generation. Ending child marriage is not charity; it is justice and development. Our presence at Blessed Academy and Comprehensive College today is to remind these 200 young leaders that their future is valid and must be protected,” the team said.
The organisers also emphasised that boys have an important role to play in advancing girls’ rights, challenging harmful attitudes, and building communities where every child can learn and thrive.
The management of Blessed Academy and Comprehensive College, Jos, welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation to the organisations for bringing the programme to the school. It also called for sustained engagements that would encourage both boys and girls to work together to end child marriage.
A key outcome of the session was the students’ pledge to become Girl Rights Ambassadors in their school, speaking out against child marriage and encouraging their peers to remain in school and pursue their aspirations.
The commitment is expected to strengthen awareness among students and encourage them to take a more active role in promoting girls’ rights within their school community.
OWLACDI and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to working with schools and communities across Plateau State to promote children’s rights, expand awareness of child protection, and create safe spaces where girls can make their voices heard.
As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, the initiative brings to the fore the importance of sustained action to prevent child marriage, protect children from abuse, and ensure that girls have access to the education and opportunities they need to shape their futures.
