Ban early child marriage – Unions

Members of the Women Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State and the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU) have appealed to African governments to pass a law that would ban early child marriage in all its forms since such practice ruins the future of the girl child.

They urged governments on the continent to take entrenched positions in the affairs of children by ensuring that the law prescribed punitive punishment to all those who contravened it.

A communiqué issued at a joint meeting in Accra said such a marriage did not only prevent the child from developing her human potentials through education but also affects her health.

The communiqué also said at that tender age the girl child was not matured to take her own decisions.

It urged governments to protect the fundamental human rights of the citizenry in their various countries.

In an opening address, Mr Ralph Apaaya, General Secretary of TEWU, said the union is currently undertaking   a women audit exercise to determine the strength of women, their educational capabilities, needs, and the level of their knowledge in trade union matters.

He said since women played an important role in union matters, special attention ought to be paid to their plight, adding that plans are underway to establish a women/gender desk to address their problems.

Madam Princess O. Abikoye, Chairperson, NLC Women Committee, said her committee was in the country to share knowledge with their TEWU counterpart so as to help them in trade union activities.

Source: GNA