What happens when girls are given the microphone to lead a conversation about child marriage, their rights and the future they want for themselves?
That is the approach Faith Emmanuel Girls Initiative (FEGI Global) is taking this International Day of the Girl Child, as it brings 100 girls aged 13 to 15 together in Jiwa, Abuja for a girl-led advocacy event focused on ending child marriage and investing in girls’ rights.
The event, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” will take place on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Jiwa, Abuja, with six selected students leading a live talk-show-style conversation with their peers.
Rather than positioning girls simply as recipients of information, the event will give them the platform to speak about the dangers of early marriage, understand their legal and human rights, examine the cost of lost opportunities and discuss what meaningful investment in girls should look like.
“This is not about pity,” said Faith Emmanuel, Founder of FEGI Global. “This is about power. These girls are not waiting to be saved, they are ready to speak, and lead. Our job is to create the platform.”
The participating girls will also receive FEGI Global Girls Kits as part of the outreach.
Child marriage remains a significant barrier to girls’ education and opportunities in Nigeria. According to UNICEF, one in three Nigerian girls is married before the age of 18, with prevalence considerably higher in some parts of the country.
For FEGI Global, addressing the issue requires more than telling girls about the dangers of early marriage. It also means giving them the knowledge and confidence to understand their rights, recognise the choices available to them and participate in conversations about their futures.
Founded in 2021 by Faith Emmanuel, Faith Emmanuel Girls Initiative is focused on breaking down barriers that limit the progress of girls in Nigeria and equipping them with the knowledge, resources and support to transcend societal limitations.
The organisation’s work spans education, mentorship, health and advocacy. Its programmes include the Annual Girl Child Conference, Mindset Orientation Training for girl-child advocates, the Back-to-School Rural Community Project, which supports children in rural communities with school fees, and Big Sister, which creates an intimate space for girls to ask questions and seek guidance.
FEGI Global also commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child as part of its commitment to creating platforms where girls can learn, speak up and participate meaningfully in conversations about their rights and futures.
Through the October 9 event, the organisation is putting that commitment into practice by giving girls the microphone and allowing them to lead a conversation that directly concerns their lives.
The event will hold at Government Day Secondary School, Jiwa, Abuja, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026.
