Teenage brides in Borno yearn for Western schooling, appeal to authorities for assistance

In the Tashan Kangele community of Maiduguri, Borno State, young women who were married as teenagers, between the ages of 13 and 16, are urging the government to increase access to education, enabling them to redefine their future goals and contribute more substantially to society.

n

These women, largely unaware of adult and second-chance learning centers in the state, also highlighted the issue of proximity, suggesting that the government could improve access through heightened awareness, the establishment of more centers, and measures to address mobility challenges.

n

During a media engagement organized by the Participatory Communication for Gender Development Initiative in Maiduguri on Sunday, the women expressed their desire for Western education, valuing the opportunity to receive formal education.

n

One such woman, Fatima Umar, 22, who is divorced, shared that she got married at 16, and her marriage ended due to her constant demands to pursue education like her co-wife.

n

She recounted, “I got divorced because my husband married a second wife who is a working-class lady, and I wanted to go to school to be working like my co-wife, which led to a fuss that separated us.”

n

Now a mother to a son, Fatima Umar's wish is to return to school and become a working-class woman before turning 30, having had her education halted at Primary Five.

n

She emphasized, “I want to go to school, I crave education,” highlighting her determination to pursue knowledge.

n

Another woman, Maryam Abba, 18, who married at 14 and has two children, shared that she had never had the opportunity to attend school and would be glad to return to school if given the chance.

n

She noted, “If there is a means for me to go back to school, I will be glad because it will help me to care for my children and for them to also be educated,” while expressing uncertainty about the availability of schools for married women in the town.

n

Aisha Usman, one of the women, shared that she was married at 13 after her mother's death and now faces financial constraints in her decision to return to school.

n

She stated, “I just want to return to school to learn how to read so that I can teach my children, and I have spoken to my husband about it, but he just said God will make a way for it.”

n

Umi Bukar, the Programme Director of the PAGED Initiative, warned that neglecting women's education could have severe consequences beyond the current level of insecurity in the country.

n

She cautioned, “The huge number of married adolescent young girls denied education is substantial, and with more young girls coming up without access to education, the future looks concerning.”

n

Bukar emphasized that in Northern Nigeria, women's education is not given priority, and if these girls are not educated, they will be unable to help their children receive an education, perpetuating a cycle of ignorance.

n

She highlighted that PAGED has decided to go beyond advocating for women, instead allowing them to speak out for themselves, making it difficult for the government to ignore their voices.

n

Bukar stressed, “These are the mothers for the nation, and if they don't benefit from education, their children may also not benefit, and the circle will continue, leading to bigger trouble than we are in right now.”