The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has urged girls to find their voices, speak up against practices that threaten their rights and seek support when confronted with pressure to enter early marriage.
The organisation gave the advice during a sensitisation visit to New Era Girls, Nteje, Anambra State, as part of activities marking the 2026 United Nations International Day of the Girl Child, with the theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights!”
The group’s Executive Director, Princess Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, who led the team, encouraged the students to understand that their opinions, aspirations and concerns mattered, particularly when decisions about their future threatened their education and personal development.
The organisation noted that some girls might have dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs or professionals in other fields but could face pressure to abandon those ambitions for early marriage.
It stressed that girls needed the confidence to question decisions that could deny them the opportunity to complete their education and develop their potential.
DeCODE, however, emphasised that finding their voices did not mean girls should confront difficult situations alone or put themselves in danger.
It advised students facing pressure to marry early or other threats to their rights to seek help from trusted teachers, school authorities, counsellors, supportive relatives and other responsible adults who could provide protection and guidance.
The organisation observed that a girl might know that something was wrong but remain silent because she feared being misunderstood, punished or regarded as disobedient, especially when the pressure came from her parents or other family members.
It said such fears made it necessary to create safe spaces where girls could express themselves freely, ask questions and report situations that made them uncomfortable without fear of intimidation.
According to DeCODE, empowering girls requires more than telling them to be courageous. They must also understand their rights, recognise harmful practices and know where to turn when they need help.
The organisation called on parents, teachers and community leaders to listen to girls, take their concerns seriously and support them in making decisions that protect their wellbeing and future.
It stressed that the responsibility for ending child marriage should not be placed on girls alone, noting that families, schools, communities and relevant institutions must work together to protect children from harmful practices.
DeCODE urged parents to prioritise their daughters’ education and development, while calling on schools to provide supportive environments where students could seek assistance when their rights were threatened.
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It also encouraged communities to challenge social norms that discouraged girls from expressing their opinions or pursuing their aspirations.
The organisation maintained that every girl deserved to be heard, protected, and allowed to shape her future without being forced to surrender her childhood or education to early marriage.
Reflecting on the visit to New Era Girls, Nteje, DeCODE reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying girls’ voices, promoting awareness of their rights and building communities where they could grow in confidence and dignity.
It urged the girls to recognise the value of their voices and understand that speaking up and seeking help were important steps towards protecting their rights.
The organisation stressed that when girls were encouraged to express themselves and adults were willing to listen and act, communities would be better positioned to prevent child marriage and safeguard the future of every girl.
