In a move to protect child abuse, the Katsina State House of Assembly has passed the Child Right Protection Bill.
However, in a surprising move, the legislation will not regulate the age of marriage.
With this bill, a child in the State is anyone below the age of 18, however, people who should by that definition be considered underage can still marry.
The sponsors of the bill stated that the bill is aimed at guaranteeing children’s right to education and check underage marriage, cruelty, and sexual assault against children.
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The House Committee chairman on the Child Protection Bill, Musa Nuhu, reportedly presented the recommendations of the committee before his colleagues on Wednesday.
He urged the immediate passage of the bill to end the prevalence of child rape, child labour and forced and underage marriage in the state.
The bill also gives Sharia law supremacy over the Child Protection Act.
