Zaria Hosts Neem Tree Dialogue To End Child Marriage, Violence Against Children

The Neem Tree Dialogue Project: Storytelling for Community Action to End Child Marriage, Prevent Violence Against Children, Promote Positive Parenting and Enhance Girls' Agency has been officially launched in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The initiative is inspired by the book, In the Shadow of the Neem Tree, authored by Barr. Mariam Marwa-Abdu, Executive Director of the Women and Child Rights Empowerment Foundation (WCREF).

The project uses the story of Talatu, a 13-year-old girl whose dreams of education were interrupted by child marriage, as a tool for community dialogue, awareness and action.
In her opening remarks, Barr. Marwa-Abdu said Talatu's story may be fictional, but the challenges she faces are real.
"Across communities, many girls are denied the opportunity to fulfil their potential due to child marriage, abuse and harmful norms," she said.

She said the project seeks to engage parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, government institutions and other stakeholders in meaningful conversations. "Through this project, we hope to engage parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, government institutions and other stakeholders in meaningful conversations about ending child marriage, preventing violence against children and drug abuse, promoting positive parenting, and strengthening girls' agency," she said.

She added that lasting change requires collective action.
"I believe that change begins when communities come together, listen to one another and take collective responsibility for protecting their children," she said.
She expressed appreciation to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, for his leadership and commitment to child wellbeing, as well as to royal fathers, religious leaders, government representatives and development partners present at the event.

The objectives of the Neem Tree Dialogue, according to the organisers, are to promote positive parenting and nurturing care, prevent all forms of violence against children, end child marriage and promote girls' agency and education, prevent drug abuse among children and young people, and strengthen community and traditional systems for child protection.

The project was launched in collaboration with the Zazzau Emirate Council, Kaduna State Government, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Orientation Agency and development partners including UNICEF.
Delivering the UNICEF goodwill message, Dr Gerida Birukila, who spoke on behalf of the organisation, described the launch as placing the family at the centre of efforts to protect and empower children.

She said the family is the first environment where a child experiences love, care, guidance and protection, yet too many children are still falling through the cracks.
"Too many children are still living and working on the streets, exposed to exploitation, child labour, sexual violence and child marriage," she said.

Dr Birukila stressed that the deprivation picture across UNICEF Kaduna Field Office states - Kaduna, Kwara, Niger and Nasarawa - calls for urgent collective action. She noted that according to the NDHS 2024 and MICS 2021, violent discipline against children remains as high as 90.7 per cent nationally.

She emphasised the need for building peaceful, prosperous and resilient communities at a time when children continue to experience violence, neglect, exploitation and deprivation.
She commended the Emir of Zazzau for lending his voice and royal blessing to the initiative. "Traditional leaders occupy a unique position of trust to convene communities, shape social norms and challenge harmful practices," she said.

According to her, the Neem Tree, which provides shade and protection where people gather to reflect, should serve as a symbol for the dialogue. "The Neem Tree should serve as a symbol for this dialogue - a safe space where communities listen to one another, challenge harmful practices and agree on positive actions to protect children," she said.

She reaffirmed UNICEF's commitment to working with the Zazzau Emirate, Kaduna State Government, NDLEA, traditional and religious institutions and all partners to strengthen families and protect children.