Promote Interfaith Dialogue to End Child Marriage

Dear Donors,

Thank you for the attention shown toward the Promote Interfaith Dialogue to End Child Marriage project. At this moment, the project has not yet received financial contributions, so the planned training sessions and dialogue activities have not started.

In many communities across Nigeria, child marriage continues because of long standing beliefs and social pressure. Families sometimes believe early marriage protects girls or improves family stability. In reality, it often interrupts education and places young girls at risk of health complications and emotional harm.

Religious and traditional leaders are among the most respected voices in these communities. Families frequently seek their guidance when making decisions about marriage, education, and family life. When these leaders speak clearly about protecting girls and delaying marriage, their message can influence attitudes and community behavior.

This project plans to bring together Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders to discuss the impact of early marriage and promote safer choices for girls. Through training sessions, the leaders will learn about child protection, health risks linked to early marriage, and the importance of supporting girls' education.

Following the training, dialogue gatherings will allow leaders from different faith traditions to share a united message encouraging families to allow girls to remain in school. Community meetings, sermons, and home visits will help spread these messages to parents and young people.

When trusted leaders promote the value of education and the protection of girls, communities may begin to reconsider practices that place girls at risk. Over time, this effort can encourage families to delay marriage and give girls the chance to continue learning.

We are thankful for the interest this initiative has received and hopeful that support will grow so these dialogue activities can begin soon. With the help of compassionate partners, this project can help communities protect their daughters and support their future.

Sincerely,

Ugbede-Ojo Dominic Kadiri
Project Leader