Naija Feminists Media (NFM) has equipped 52 female students of Apo Secondary School, Abuja, with knowledge of their rights, the dangers of child marriage and the importance of education as part of efforts to empower girls to resist harmful practices and speak up against violations of their rights.
The training, organised in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, was supported by Global Activists Network (GAN) under the theme, “Youth Voices Against Child Marriage: Every Child Deserves Education”.
The initiative sought to help the students understand the causes and consequences of child marriage, identify ways to prevent it and become more confident in seeking help when confronted with situations that threaten their safety, education and future.
Raising Awareness About Child Marriage
Observed annually on October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child highlights the rights, challenges and opportunities of girls worldwide. The 2026 theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”, calls for concerted action to protect girls from early marriage and ensure they have the support needed to learn, develop and determine their futures.
During the training, participants explored the causes of child marriage and its consequences for girls’ education, health, personal development and future opportunities.
The facilitators emphasised the importance of prevention, encouraging the students to understand their rights, recognise potentially harmful situations and speak out whenever they face circumstances that could put them at risk.
The girls also received information on relevant agencies and reporting channels for cases of abuse, child marriage and other violations of children’s rights.
They were encouraged not to remain silent when they or someone they know is at risk, but to seek assistance from trusted adults and appropriate authorities.
Promoting Safe and Responsible Social Media Use
Beyond child marriage and girls’ rights, the training addressed digital and social media safety, equipping participants with practical guidance on navigating online platforms responsibly.
The students learned how to use social media to access educational resources, acquire useful information, express themselves and explore opportunities while remaining alert to potential dangers.
They were advised to protect their personal information, exercise caution when interacting with strangers online, avoid sharing sensitive content and think critically about the information they encounter or circulate on social media.
The session also highlighted the importance of recognising online risks and taking appropriate steps to protect themselves from individuals who might seek to exploit or abuse them.
Interactive Learning, Practical Support
The training featured interactive discussions in which the students answered questions, shared their thoughts and engaged actively with the facilitators.
Their participation provided an opportunity to discuss issues affecting girls in a learning environment that encouraged openness, awareness and confidence.
By the end of the session, the participants had gained a better understanding of child marriage, its causes, prevention strategies, their rights, available reporting channels and responsible social media use.
As part of the initiative, more than 50 writing materials were distributed to the students to support their learning and encourage continued engagement with their education.
The materials also included guidance on contacting relevant authorities to report predators, reinforcing the importance of knowing where and how to seek help when confronted with threats to personal safety.
Amplifying Girls’ Voices
The emphasis on youth voices was central to the initiative, reflecting the need to involve girls and young people not merely as beneficiaries of programmes addressing issues that affect them, but also as active participants in discussions and solutions.
For Naija Feminists Media, creating opportunities for girls to learn about their rights and discuss challenges affecting them is an important step towards nurturing informed, confident young women who can advocate for themselves and others.
The organisation also underscored the role of education in empowering girls to make informed decisions, explore opportunities and challenge harmful practices that could limit their potential.
With access to education, accurate information and supportive environments, girls are better positioned to pursue their ambitions and exercise greater control over decisions affecting their lives.
The engagement at Apo Secondary School thus combined education with advocacy, using the International Day of the Girl Child to draw attention to the dangers of child marriage and the need to protect every girl’s right to learn and develop.
Through the Youth Voices Against Child Marriage initiative, Naija Feminists Media sought to strengthen girls’ awareness of their rights and encourage them to participate in efforts to end child marriage.
The message is clear: every child deserves an education, and every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, dream and determine her own future.
NFM is a Nigerian feminist media organisation operating at the intersection of journalism, advocacy and gender justice.
The platform produces feminist news, investigative stories and digital conversations aimed at challenging harmful gender stereotypes, exposing systemic patriarchy and amplifying the voices of African women and girls.
Through storytelling, campaigns, fact-checking and media advocacy, the organisation works to make feminism more visible in Nigeria, address misinformation about gender equality and highlight the lived experiences of women and girls.
GAN supports activists and grassroots initiatives working to advance social justice, human rights and community development.
Through its support for initiatives such as this project, GAN contributes to efforts to empower young people and strengthen community-led advocacy on issues affecting vulnerable groups.