The Executive Director of the Jashabel Touch-A-Heart Foundation (JTAH), Mrs Favour Benson, has called for stronger action to end child marriage, protect girls from abuse and ensure that every girl has the freedom, support and opportunity to determine her future.

Benson made the call in commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11 to celebrate girls, amplify their voices and advocate for the protection and advancement of their rights.

This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the urgent need to address the harmful practices and social conditions that continue to deny millions of girls their childhood, education, safety and freedom of choice.

Benson described child marriage as a serious violation of girls’ rights, noting that forcing a girl into marriage before she is ready can have far-reaching consequences for her education, physical health, emotional well-being and personal development.

For Benson, the International Day of the Girl Child should serve as more than a symbolic celebration. It should be a renewed commitment to confronting the circumstances that leave girls vulnerable and ensuring that their rights are respected in homes, schools and communities.

She emphasised that every girl deserves to grow up in a safe environment, receive an education, access appropriate healthcare and make informed decisions about her life without being subjected to coercion, discrimination or abuse.

READ ALSO: Rotary Club of Abule-Egba Metropolitan Installs 16th President

The JTAH Foundation Executive Director called on governments to strengthen laws and policies against child marriage and ensure that girls who experience abuse or exploitation can access protection, counselling and other essential support services.

She also urged parents, community leaders and relevant stakeholders to challenge harmful traditions and social expectations that place girls at risk, stressing that cultural practices should not be used to justify the violation of children’s rights.

Benson further encouraged individuals and organisations to invest in girls’ education, mentorship, psychosocial support and empowerment programmes, particularly for those living in vulnerable circumstances or affected by humanitarian crises.

She noted that protecting girls requires a collective effort involving families, schools, civil society organisations, government institutions and the wider community.

According to her, progress is possible when girls are supported, their voices are heard and the people responsible for their welfare take deliberate steps to protect their rights.

The JTAH Foundation, which works to advance humanitarian and human-rights causes through advocacy, counselling and intervention, recognises the importance of creating communities where girls can live free from violence, discrimination and harmful practices.

Benson called on stakeholders to listen to girls, include them in decisions that affect their lives and ensure that their concerns are reflected in policies and programmes designed for their protection and development.

As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, she urged everyone to speak out against child marriage, support initiatives that keep girls in school and help build a society where every girl can grow into a confident, healthy and empowered adult.

“A girl should not have to surrender her childhood to secure her future. Every girl deserves protection, education, dignity and the freedom to choose the life she wants to live,” she concluded.

About Jashabel Touch-A-Heart Foundation

The Jashabel Touch-A-Heart Foundation (JTAH) is a humanitarian organisation committed to promoting human rights and supporting vulnerable people through its ACI approach: Advocacy, Counselling and Intervention. The Foundation’s work includes efforts to address violence and other challenges affecting women and girls, with a broader commitment to advancing the welfare and dignity of vulnerable individuals.

The future is stronger when every girl is safe, educated, empowered and free to fulfil her potential.

As the world marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, the Chairman of the League of Online Publishers and Editors (LOPE) Media Network, Favour Benson, has called on governments, media organisations, parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect girls’ rights, end child marriage and create opportunities for every girl to achieve her full potential.

The global observance provides an opportunity to celebrate girls, amplify their voices and recognise their contributions to society while drawing attention to the challenges that continue to threaten their safety, education and development.

This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to eliminate harmful practices that deprive girls of their childhood and limit their opportunities to build independent and fulfilling lives.

According to the figures provided for this year’s observance, more than 12 million girls are married before reaching adulthood annually, with sub-Saharan Africa recording a particularly high prevalence of child marriage.

This practice exposes girls to serious consequences, including interrupted education, health risks, violence, social isolation and emotional distress. It also limits their ability to make decisions about their bodies, education and future.

The LOPE Chairman noted that protecting girls’ rights must go beyond annual celebrations and public statements. It requires sustained commitment, effective policies, responsible reporting and deliberate investments in the education, safety and empowerment of girls.

READ ALSO: Zenith Bank to launch maiden girl-child empowerment programme

As an organisation representing online publishers and editors, LOPE recognises the important role of the media in shaping public understanding, challenging harmful cultural practices and holding relevant institutions accountable for protecting vulnerable children.

The Chairman therefore urged media practitioners to use their platforms to raise awareness about child marriage, report cases of abuse responsibly, promote girls’ education and amplify the voices of girls whose experiences are often overlooked.

She also called on governments and policymakers to strengthen laws against child marriage, improve access to education and healthcare, expand child-protection services and ensure that existing legal safeguards are effectively implemented.

Parents, religious leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders were encouraged to challenge harmful social norms and create environments where girls can grow up safely, remain in school and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.

Despite the scale of the challenge, progress remains possible. Investments in girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection have helped prevent millions of child marriages over the past 25 years, demonstrating that collective action can produce meaningful change.

LOPE Media Network believes that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, lead and determine her own future without fear of discrimination, exploitation or forced marriage.

As the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child, the Network calls on all stakeholders to move beyond awareness and take practical steps towards building a society where girls’ rights are respected, protected and promoted.

About LOPE Media Network

The League of Online Publishers and Editors (LOPE) Media Network is an association of online publishers and editors committed to advancing professional journalism, strengthening collaboration among digital media practitioners and promoting responsible media engagement.

Zenith Bank Plc is set to launch the maiden edition of its Girl-Child Empowerment Programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young girls to dream boldly, develop the skills and confidence to pursue their aspirations, and prepare for meaningful opportunities in the future.

The event, themed “Banking On Her Tomorrow,” is the brainchild of the Bank’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the first female GMD/CEO in Zenith Bank’s history and a strong advocate for girl-child education and empowerment.

The event will be held virtually on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., a day after the International Day of the Girl Child, observed globally on October 11.

The programme, which will feature an impressive lineup of distinguished experts in various fields, seeks to provide girls with the inspiration, knowledge and practical perspectives needed to navigate their education and careers, while exposing them to opportunities in skills development, mentorship and leadership.

As an annual platform, it will encourage girls to recognise their potential, broaden their aspirations and equip themselves to make informed choices about their future.

The initiative builds on Zenith Bank’s longstanding commitment to women and girls, demonstrated through programmes and platforms including the Bank’s annual International Women’s Day Seminar, its sole sponsorship of the Zenith Women’s Basketball League, the Women of Honour Awards in partnership with the Ford Foundation, and the Pad-a-Queen Initiative.

These complement the Bank’s women-focused financial solutions, including the Z-Woman initiative, an empowerment programme that supports women-owned and women-led businesses through specialised funding, capacity building and networking.

Together, these initiatives reflect the Bank’s broader commitment to supporting women and girls at different stages of their lives, and to contributing meaningfully to national development.This maiden edition is open to all, with girls, parents, educators and other members of the public invited to participate.

Interested participants can register via the link below. Those unable to join via Zoom can follow the live stream on Zenith Bank’s social media platforms.https://events.zoom.us/ev/AhU2FESLzXuo9VUK0jA1HzBmWCpvvDtRdcYMObih7zgSUjKEyTFs~AlKZVoKpnzFj0-Gs0a5KJNz9_lzYA2oDrpUePQJtAte6EPk4smEHGNT-Lg