Influence of NGO's on the Control of Early Marriage in Borno State (2018-2022)

Being a social problem, this research thus scoped its analysis on how Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been fighting early marriage in Borno State, Nigeria within the period 2018 to 2022. Child marriage is common in the region and is fueled by poverty, tradition and Boko Haram. These factors as well as the low implementation of protective laws are a violation of human rights and puts young girls at the mercy of gender-based violence, health risks and educational exclusion. This research uses an evaluation design in a case study of four NGOs to assess the interventions made. Results were obtained from structured questionnaires and interviews: gender equality promotion programs; school-based programs; community mobilisation programs; and media advocacy. Research findings establish that these multi-sectoral strategies have had direct positive impacts on awareness creation and early marriage, to a small degree. Despite these promising tools, cultural resistance, funding constraints and insecurity limit their efficiency. Specifically, the study finds that there is a dire need to increase the implementation of policies, involve traditional/religious leaders in programs, and revive antipoverty campaigns for education. Future research has to centre program evaluations for the long term and discuss displacement, for instance, as an intersectional concept. A closer look at these gaps will help stakeholders to develop better and more effective measures for ending early marriage in conflict-prone areas.