20 Fellows Selected Across Bauchi LGAs to Lead Campaign Against Child Marriage
By Ahmed Ahmed
Twenty young fellows drawn from the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State have been selected and trained to spearhead grassroots campaigns against child marriage under the Zabin Rayuwa (Choice of Life) Project being implemented by the Girl Child Value Support Initiative with support from Amplify Change.
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The Creative Director of the project, Mr Oluwafemi Jacob, disclosed this on Tuesday during a quarterly stakeholders’ meeting held in Bauchi.
Jacob said the initiative seeks to tackle the persistent challenge of child marriage by empowering talented young people to document and share real-life experiences from their communities through storytelling, drama, theatre, and podcasting.
According to him, the selected fellows will gather stories highlighting the causes and consequences of child marriage and use creative arts to challenge harmful cultural and social norms that encourage the practice.
“The fellows were selected from the 20 local government areas based on their talents and potential in theatre, acting, and creative expression.
They will receive intensive training in theatre, acting, storytelling, and podcasting to strengthen their advocacy skills,” he said.
Jacob explained that the 18-month project includes six months of intensive capacity-building aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and tools needed to engage their communities effectively.
He added that at the end of the programme, the fellows are expected to serve as community watchdogs and advocates, working closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents, and other stakeholders to promote the education, protection, and empowerment of girls.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of the project, Mr Sadisu Ibrahim, emphasised the need for sustained awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards child marriage.
He urged stakeholders to take greater responsibility in protecting the rights of girls and supporting initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence of early marriage in communities across Bauchi State.
Stakeholders at the meeting also called for stronger government policies, skills acquisition programmes, and increased community engagement to address the menace of child marriage.
