Kalthum Foundation Urges Action Against Child Marriage

The Kalthum Foundation for Peace has urgently called for action to end child marriage in Northern Nigeria and across the Sahel. This appeal was made by the foundation's chief executive officer, Ummu Kalthum Muhammad Rabiu, on Tuesday in Gombe, coinciding with the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.

Rabiu highlighted that poverty, insecurity, and displacement are depriving thousands of girls of their education and future opportunities. She stated that child marriage should not be justified as a cultural practice, as it exposes girls to lifelong disadvantages.

Rabiu emphasized that the growing vulnerability of girls in conflict-affected areas necessitates a collaborative response from governments, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners, framing the issue as a human rights concern and a threat to long-term peace and security. Drawing from her experiences in internally displaced persons' camps and schools in Borno state, she noted that girls are often the first to suffer from disruptions caused by conflict, poverty, and environmental challenges.