From Premium Times Nigeria · Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili · · 1m 40s
International Day of the Girl Child
Human Capital Africa founder calls for education to end child marriage in Africa.
In brief
Human Capital Africa founder calls for education to end child marriage in Africa. Africa must prioritize girls' education to reduce child marriage by 2030, with 89% of sub-Saharan African children unable to read by age ten. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
International Day of the Girl Child
89 per cent of children in sub saharan africa cannot read by age ten.
Child Marriage Crisis
1 in 5 girls worldwide married before 18, 650 million women and girls affected.
Nigeria's Emergency
23.6 million women and girls married before 18, 78 per cent in jigawa first married before 18.
Economic Impact
Child marriage costs up to $175 billion yearly, $2.5 trillion by 2040.
Progress Possible
68 million child marriages averted in 25 years through education and legal reform.
Education Saves Lives
Each year of secondary education lowers marriage risk by five percentage points.
Niger Case Study
Niger government removed middle school costs for rural girls, reducing marriage risk by 19 percentage points.
The Solution
Every girl must read by age ten using proven teaching methods.
Policy Actions
Guarantee secondary school access, enforce 18 as minimum marriage age, fund domestically.
African Leadership
Africa must lead in cutting child marriage from one in five to one in seven within five years.
The Call to Action
Human capital africa urges african governments to prioritize girls' education for child marriage reduction.
The Future
Any girl-child should be a student, not a bride, learning before leading.
The bottom line
Africa must prioritize girls' education to reduce child marriage by 2030, with 89% of sub-Saharan African children unable to read by age ten.
