African girls call for rights to be protected

By Azeezat Olaoluwa

African girls are appealing to their leaders to guarantee their right to education and to protect them from early marriages.

They have been expressing their views at the African Girls Summit in Niger's capital, Niamey. 

According to Aminata, who is at the summit, a lot more needs to be done for African girls. 

"African governments must invest in educating the girl child, strengthen national mechanisms to facilitate responses to end harmful practices against African girls," she told the BBC.

Many girls are still subjected to harmful traditional practices across the continent and many are forced out of school due to pregnancy.

Gender activist Samuel Norgah called on governments to tackle "negative cultural and social norms that promote gender inequality and abuse of women and girls".

"Governments must align the minimum age and definition of a child at 18 years and ensure that any gender disparities are addressed in line with the state’s obligation to gender equality," she added.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Getty Images