DeCODE Raises Alarm Over Child Marriage, Urges Protection of Girls’ Future

The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has called on parents, schools, community leaders and relevant institutions to protect girls from child marriage and ensure they have the opportunity to complete their education and realise their potential.
The organisation made the call during a sensitisation visit to New Era Girls, Nteje, Anambra State, to mark the 2026 United Nations International Day of the Girl Child, with the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”
Led by its founder, Princess Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, DeCODE urged the girls to understand their rights, speak up when they felt threatened and seek help from trusted adults when confronted with pressure to marry before adulthood.
The organisation stressed that no girl should be compelled to abandon her education or aspirations because of decisions imposed on her, including by members of her family.
It encouraged the students to approach trusted teachers, school authorities, counsellors, supportive relatives or other responsible adults whenever they felt unsafe or faced pressure to enter an early marriage.
DeCODE, however, cautioned that girls should not be left to confront such situations alone, noting that they needed safe support systems and adults willing to intervene to protect their interests.
The organisation observed that some girls might be aware that a situation was wrong but lack the confidence to challenge it, particularly when the pressure came from parents or other people they depended on.
It said empowering girls should therefore go beyond teaching them about their rights to creating environments where they could express their concerns without fear and receive appropriate support.
According to DeCODE, every girl deserves access to education, protection, dignity and opportunities to develop her abilities, irrespective of the expectations or limitations imposed on her.
It maintained that girls should be encouraged to pursue their ambitions and understand that their futures should not be restricted by harmful practices, including child marriage.
The organisation also emphasised that the responsibility for ending child marriage rested with society as a whole and should not be placed on girls alone.
It called on parents to prioritise their daughters’ education and wellbeing, schools to provide safe spaces where students could report threats to their rights, and communities to challenge harmful practices that exposed children to early marriage.
Relevant institutions and community leaders were also urged to uphold children’s rights and take appropriate action whenever girls faced situations that threatened their safety and development.
DeCODE noted that girls needed more than the courage to speak out, stressing that they also required protection, encouragement and opportunities to build the future they desired.
It said investment in girls’ rights would contribute to stronger families, better educational opportunities and more equitable communities.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to raising awareness, amplifying girls’ voices and promoting communities where children could grow, learn and develop their potential without being forced to surrender their childhood or aspirations.
It urged stakeholders to work collectively towards ending child marriage and ensuring that every girl had the opportunity to learn, dream and pursue her future in safety and dignity.