Adult Education Programmes as Strategic Tools for Preventing Gender-Based Violence and Early Marriage in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Gender-based violence (GBV) and early marriage remain persistent threats to the rights, dignity, and socio-economic well-being of women and girls in the Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers State. Despite the domestication of legal reforms like the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) (VAPP) Act, these challenges continue due to entrenched cultural norms, poverty, and low literacy levels. This paper examines the role of adult education programmes, specifically functional literacy, human rights education, and community mobilization as strategic tools for addressing these underlying drivers. Findings indicate that adult education significantly improves legal awareness, strengthens women’s economic empowerment, and enhances reporting behavior by breaking the