“Sunnana Balira, ni sabowar amayar cha,ama ban san shakaruna ba,ni kam ko makaranta, ko kuwa aura duk wanda an yi mi, zan karba,” Balira said in Hausa. This means, “my name is Balira, I am newly wedded but I’m not certain of my age. If either school or marriage is being asked of me, I will accept any.”
During one of our numerous community outreach with CODE’s team to the popular Relocate Gutsura in Gummi local government area of Zamfara state, I interviewed a young girl called Balira. Although she looked about ten years of age, she is married.
Balira appeared timid and wouldn’t even look at our faces. She nodded her head when asked a question or looked at the old woman behind her for answers.
Balira, a child, has been saddled with the responsibility of being a wife and soon, a young mother.
She represents the reality of young girls in some northern communities in Nigeria. Their stories, most times ignored.