Professor Advocates for Legislative Measures to Combat Early and Forced Marriages

She urged policymakers to prioritize the enforcement of laws safeguarding the rights of the girl child, advocating for equal access to education regardless of gender.

Jan 26, 2024 - 13:57 Updated: Jan 26, 2024 - 14:59

Professor Advocates for Legislative Measures to Combat Early and Forced Marriages

In a compelling discourse on societal challenges, Professor Philomena Ibhade Ozo-Eson, a distinguished figure in Sociology at the University of Abuja, called upon the Nigerian government to enact stringent laws targeting perpetrators of early and forced marriages. Prof. Ozo-Eson delivered her address titled "Womanhood in Tears: The Yoke Is Not Easy and the Burden Is Heavy" during the university's 43rd inaugural lecture.

Highlighting the pressing need for legislative intervention, Prof. Ozo-Eson emphasized the detrimental effects of early and forced marriages on women, stressing the urgency for legal frameworks to address these injustices. She urged policymakers to prioritize the enforcement of laws safeguarding the rights of the girl child, advocating for equal access to education regardless of gender.

Additionally, Prof. Ozo-Eson voiced her concern regarding the trend among the ruling class of sending their children abroad for education, urging the government to implement measures that promote the development of local educational institutions.

Addressing the broader socio-economic landscape, Prof. Ozo-Eson underscored the necessity for Nigeria's political and economic policies to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, condemning the exploitation of national resources by a select few in positions of power.

In his remarks, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, commended Prof. Ozo-Eson for her scholarly contributions and pioneering efforts in integrating virtual learning into the university's educational framework.

The inaugural lecture served as a platform for critical discourse on gender equality, education, and socio-economic policies, reflecting the university's commitment to promoting intellectual dialogue and societal progress.