The Malala Fund, a global non-profit founded by Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai, has called on the Kaduna State Government to prioritize and strengthen policies that support married girls’ education and re-entry into school. This appeal came during a recent visit to the Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) in Zaria, Kaduna State. The organization emphasized that married adolescent girls and young mothers face unique barriers to completing their education and need targeted policies, funding, and community support to achieve their full potential.
This development has attracted national and international attention, highlighting the urgent need for Nigeria, and particularly northern states like Kaduna, to address the challenges of early marriage, adolescent motherhood, and girls’ access to education.
Why the Malala Fund is Advocating for Married Girls’ Education in Kaduna
Nigeria currently has over 22 million girls married before the age of 18, the highest number in West and Central Africa. Many of these girls become adolescent mothers, cutting short their education and limiting opportunities for growth.
The Malala Fund Nigeria’s CEO, Nabila Aguele, stressed that the Kaduna government must adopt and fully implement re-entry policies to ensure married girls and adolescent mothers can return to school. Without education, these young women face a lifetime of limited opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty, inequality, and poor health outcomes.
Key reasons this advocacy matters include:
- Education breaks the cycle of child marriage and poverty.
- Educated mothers are more likely to educate their children.
- Girls who complete secondary school are more likely to earn income, live healthier lives, and contribute positively to society.
- Closing the education gap for married girls supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4 and 5): Quality Education and Gender Equality.
The Role of the Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE) in Kaduna
The Centre for Girls’ Education (CGE), supported by the Malala Fund, has been implementing a Safe Space Programme in Kaduna State since 2016. This initiative has reached over 200,000 girls, including married adolescents.
What the Safe Space Programme Provides
- Life skills and vocational training
- Reproductive health education
- Nutrition and climate awareness
- Support for gender-based violence survivors
- Community engagement with husbands, parents, and religious leaders
By including married adolescent girls in these programmes, CGE helps them return to school, access vocational opportunities, and advocate for their rights. Beneficiaries like Maimuna Muhammad, a married adolescent mother, testified how the Safe Space equipped her to recognize gender-based violence and balance caring for herself and her child while pursuing education.
Challenges Married Girls Face in Accessing Education in Kaduna
While progress is being made, several barriers remain:
- Cultural and societal norms – In many communities, marriage is seen as the end of a girl’s educational journey.
- Financial barriers – Married adolescent mothers often face economic pressure and cannot afford school fees or materials.
- Stigma and discrimination – Married girls who return to school are sometimes stigmatized by peers, teachers, or the community.
- Lack of flexible schooling options – Traditional school schedules rarely accommodate young mothers.
- Inadequate policies and implementation – Even where re-entry policies exist, they are not consistently enforced.
Malala Fund’s Recommendations to Kaduna Government
The Malala Fund has outlined key steps the Kaduna State Government can take to strengthen education for married girls:
1. Enforce Re-entry Policies
Ensure that schools must accept married girls and adolescent mothers who want to return, without discrimination.
2. Gender-Responsive Budgeting
Dedicate a portion of the education budget to address the unique needs of married girls and young mothers.
3. Flexible Learning Options
Provide alternative education pathways such as evening classes, vocational training, and digital learning that suit married adolescents.
4. Community Engagement
Work with parents, husbands, religious and traditional leaders to reduce stigma and support girls’ return to school.
5. Support Services
Offer childcare facilities, healthcare services, and safe transportation to help young mothers balance school and parenting.
Broader Implications for Nigeria
The call by the Malala Fund goes beyond Kaduna State. It highlights the national crisis of child marriage and girls’ education in Nigeria. According to UNICEF, one in three girls in Nigeria is married before the age of 18. Addressing this challenge is critical for:
- Reducing poverty
- Improving maternal and child health
- Enhancing women’s participation in the workforce
- Breaking intergenerational cycles of illiteracy
Conclusion
The Malala Fund’s call on Kaduna State Government is a timely reminder that no girl should be left behind, whether married or unmarried. Strengthening policies that support married girls’ education will not only transform their lives but also improve the overall development of Kaduna State and Nigeria at large.
The success of the Safe Space Programme by the Centre for Girls’ Education proves that with the right support, married adolescent girls and young mothers can thrive in education, careers, and life.
It is now up to policymakers, communities, and stakeholders to take action, ensuring that every girl — regardless of her marital status — enjoys her right to quality education.
