The Chairman of the League of Online Publishers and Editors (LOPE) Media Network, Favour Benson, has called on governments, media organisations, parents and community leaders to intensify efforts to protect girls’ rights, end child marriage and create opportunities for every girl to fulfil her potential.
Benson made the call as the world marks the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, with a renewed focus on protecting girls from harmful practices and ensuring their access to education, healthcare and other opportunities.
This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” highlights the need for coordinated action to eliminate practices that deprive girls of their childhood and limit their chances of building independent and fulfilling lives.
According to figures cited for this year’s observance, more than 12 million girls are married before reaching adulthood annually, with sub-Saharan Africa recording a particularly high prevalence of child marriage.
Child marriage exposes girls to several risks, including disrupted education, health complications, violence, social isolation and emotional distress. It also limits their ability to make informed decisions about their bodies, education and future.
The LOPE chairman stressed that protecting girls’ rights must go beyond annual celebrations and public statements, noting that it requires sustained commitment, effective policies and deliberate investments in girls’ education, safety and empowerment.
She emphasised the role of the media in shaping public understanding, challenging harmful cultural practices and holding relevant institutions accountable for protecting vulnerable children.
Benson therefore urged media practitioners to use their platforms to raise awareness about child marriage, report cases of abuse responsibly, promote girls’ education and amplify the voices of girls whose experiences are often overlooked.
She also called on governments and policymakers to strengthen laws against child marriage, improve access to education and healthcare, expand child-protection services and ensure the effective implementation of existing legal safeguards.
Parents, religious leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders were equally urged to challenge harmful social norms and create safe environments where girls can remain in school and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.
Despite the scale of the challenge, Benson noted that progress was possible through sustained collective action, pointing to investments in girls’ education, legal reforms and social protection as important measures for preventing child marriage.
She reaffirmed LOPE Media Network’s position that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, lead and determine her future without discrimination, exploitation or forced marriage.
As the world commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child, the network called on all stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and take practical steps to ensure that girls’ rights are respected, protected and promoted.
“The future is stronger when every girl is safe, educated, empowered and free to fulfil her potential,” the statement said.
About LOPE Media Network
The League of Online Publishers and Editors (LOPE) Media Network is an association of online publishers and editors committed to advancing professional journalism, strengthening collaboration among digital media practitioners and promoting responsible media engagement.
