By Atiku Galadima, Maiduguri

El-Kanemi Memorial Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has warned that uneducated girls are more likely to die young.

Speaking at a workshop for village heads in Borno and Yobe states, one of the facilitators, Dr. Sadiq Abdulhakim, stated that “lack of education is a significant predictor of early mortality, with uneducated girls facing a higher risk of death from preventable causes such as childbirth, disease, and malnutrition.”

The workshop, organized by the El-Kanemi Foundation with funding from UNFPA, aimed to address the persistent issue of early marriage and its far-reaching consequences on girls’ education and social economic rights. Village heads from all local government areas in Borno and Yobe states attended the transformative training.

According to him, uneducated girls are three times more likely to die in childbirth than educated girls and five times more likely to contract HIV/AIDS than their educated counterparts.

He emphasized that the cycle of poverty, lack of education, and early death is perpetuating inequality and hindering economic growth.

The Foundation has collaborated with the National Council of Traditional Rulers to sensitize communities on the value of educating girls and the dire consequences of early marriage, through a series of workshops, community engagements, and awareness campaigns, traditional rulers seek to empower girls and their families to make informed decisions about their future.

“Participants at the workshop gained a deeper understanding of the benefits of girls’ education, including its impact on community development, health, and economic growth. They also acknowledged the devastating effects of early marriage, including hindering development and violating girls’ rights.”

The training emphasized the need for awareness and sensitization among traditional leaders, parents, and communities to protect girls’ education and economic rights. Participants pledged to advocate for girls’ education and encourage parents to send their daughters to school instead of marrying them off at a young age.

By empowering village heads and community leaders, the Elkanemi Memorial Foundation is paving the way for a brighter future for girls in Borno Yobe and Adamawa states.

“This initiative marks a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of early marriage and unleashing girls’ potential to contribute to community development, government, and beyond.”

Abdulhakim called for increased investment in girls’ education, particularly in Borno and Yobe states, where people have experienced decades of Boko Haram insurgency. “When we empower girls through education, we can save lives, reduce poverty, and create a brighter future for generations to come,” he said.