Abdu Jibrin Zaria
The Neem Tree Dialogue Project: Storytelling for Community Action to End Child Marriage, Prevent Violence Against Children (VAC), Promote Positive Parenting and Enhance Girls Agency was 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, Women and Child Rights Empowerment Foundation (WCREF).
The project uses Talatu’s story — 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. Mariam Marwa-Abdu said Talatu’s story may be fictional, but the challenges she faces are real. She noted that across communities.
Barr Maryam Marwa Abdu pointed out that many girls are denied the opportunity to fulfill their potential due to child marriage, abuse and harmful norms.
She said 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.
Barr Maryam Marwa Abdu believes that change begins when communities come together, listen to one another and take collective responsibility for protecting their children.
She expressed special appreciation to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, for his leadership and commitment to child wellbeing, and to all royal fathers, religious leaders, government representatives and development partners present.
Objectives of the Neem Tree Dialogue are
1. To promote positive parenting and nurturing care.
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2. To prevent all forms of violence against children.
3. To end child marriage and promote girls’ agency and education.
4. To prevent drug abuse among children and young people.
5. To strengthen community and traditional systems for child protection.
The project was launched in collaboration with the Zazzau Emirate Council, Kaduna State Government, NDLEA, National Orientation Agency and development partners including UNICEF.
Delivering the UNICEF Goodwill Message, Dr. Gerida Birukila, on behalf of UNICEF, described the launch as placing the family at the centre of efforts to protect and empower children.
She stated that 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 — living and working on the streets, exposed to exploitation, child labour, sexual violence and child marriage.
Dr. Birukila stressed that the deprivation picture across UNICEF Kaduna Field Office States — Kaduna, Kwara, Niger and Nasarawa — calls for urgent collective action, noting that according to NDHS 2024 and MICS 2021, violent discipline against children remains as high as 90.7% nationally.
She emphasized the need for building peaceful, prosperous and resilient communities while children continue to experience violence, neglect, exploitation and deprivation.
She commended His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, for lending his voice and royal blessing to the initiative, noting that traditional leaders occupy a unique position of trust to convene communities, shape social norms and challenge harmful practices.
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According to her, the Neem Tree, which provides shade and protection where people gather to reflect, 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 reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to working with the Zazzau Emirate, Kaduna State Government, NDLEA, traditional and religious institutions and allpartners to strengthen families.
