Canada and Nigeria are collaborating to end child, early and forced marriage in the country, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria said on Thursday.

A statement issued by Ezinne Uluocha, Public Affairs Officer of the Canadian High Commission in Abuja, said a significant reduction in child marriage would ensure a better society.

The statement said the High Commission was collaborating with Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative, a Nigerian NGO, to highlight the worldwide issue of child marriage as it affects Nigeria.

“The Canadian High Commissioner, Mr Perry Calderwood is collaborating with Ms Amina Hanga, Executive Secretary of Nigerian NGO, Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative.

“The NGO forms part of the “Girls Not Brides” network, which was awarded the Government of Canada Diefenbaker Human Rights and Freedom Award in Ottawa in November 2014.

“Ms Hanga, along with a representative from an India-based sister organisation, and a member of the Board of Directors, accepted the award on behalf of Girls Not Brides.”

It said child marriage hindered the achievement of the six Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is expected to be met by all countries by the end of this year.

According to it, ensuring that child marriage is meaningfully included in the post-2015 global development agenda is a top priority for Canadian government.

“Child, early and forced marriage has hindered advancement of six of the eight MDGs. The six MDGs are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; universal primary education; gender equality; child mortality; maternal health; combat HIV and other diseases.

Read More: http://businessdayonline.com/2015/01/canada-collaborates-with-nigeria-to-end-child-marriage/#.VK_DeSuUdN0