Save the Children Canada

Published purpose

This project aims to protect and empower girls and boys who are already married, separated or divorced in Nigeria. The project works with civil society organizations and networks and key government ministries to promote delaying marriage and the age of parenthood, as well as to strengthen the protection of child rights. Project activities include: (1) creating gender-sensitive, child-friendly spaces, including those specifically for girls, within selected schools and centers; (2) working with schools to improve equitable access and retention of children, especially for girls and boys who have missed their school for economic or social reasons; (3) working with primary health facilities to improve maternal, neonatal and child health services; (4) providing support for civil society organizations and forming coalitions to monitor the situation of child rights and encourage local action against violence, abuse and exploitation; and (5) organizing town hall meetings, roundtable discussions and leading advocacy to engage parents and community members, especially traditional and religious leaders, to delay early marriage and onset of first pregnancy, and to support girls abused within and outside marriage. Men and boys are involved in all spheres of community activities to empower them for better and informed decision making which supports gender equality.