NAWOJ Reports 60% of Out-of-School Children in Borno Are Girls

The Borno State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has reported that girls constitute 60% of the estimated 700,000 out-of-school children in Borno State. The association stated that despite government interventions, girls continue to face significant challenges due to over a decade of insurgency, displacement, and socioeconomic hardship.

The prolonged conflict in the North-east has severely damaged educational infrastructure and displaced many families. NAWOJ also raised concerns about the persistent threat of child marriage, which limits educational opportunities and exposes girls to health risks such as Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF).

The association noted that globally, over 12 million girls are married each year, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest prevalence. NAWOJ commended the Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, for efforts to rebuild schools and implement the Adolescent Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) programme.

However, they stressed the need for sustained political will and increased funding for girl-led organizations to address these challenges.