Nigeria: Community Awareness Drives Collective Action Against Child Marriage

As part of the 100 days of action, YOUPEDA led a series of community awareness activities across parts of Abuja, Nasarawa, and Kaduna between 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. The engagement brought together community members, youth, women leaders, parents, and local influencers to deepen understanding of the harms of child marriage and to encourage locally driven action to protect children.

The awareness sessions were held in Angwan Mada, Rafin Tagewaya, Angwan Gora, and Fadam Ayu, creating accessible spaces for open dialogue at the community level. In total, 52 adults and 20 youth and children took part, alongside 20 community leaders and influencers who played a key role in guiding discussions and reinforcing shared responsibility.

Conversations focused on the health, educational, and social consequences of child marriage, while also examining the underlying drivers that allow the practice to persist, including social norms, silence, and misinformation. Rather than centring enforcement alone, the sessions emphasised community values, collective responsibility, and practical steps families and leaders can take to prevent child marriage within their own contexts.

Through interactive discussions, participants reflected on how awareness and open dialogue can challenge harmful practices and support girls’ education and delayed marriage. The message “No Child Marriage Here” was widely adopted during the sessions, signalling a growing sense of shared ownership and commitment within the communities.

At the close of the engagement, six public pledges were recorded, with participants committing to speak out against child marriage, discourage harmful practices within families, and guide at risk households toward safer alternatives. The sessions concluded with agreement to continue these conversations through informal community discussions, peer education, and local forums beyond the campaign period.

This community led approach highlights how sustained dialogue and local leadership can strengthen efforts toward building child marriage free communities.