Parliament calls for urgent action to end violence against children

The 7th National Children’s Parliament, comprised of 24 of 36 state representatives, held its opening session, where members discussed and adopted resolutions aimed at ending violence against children.

The decisions focused on six key areas aimed at the implementation and enforcement of laws, norms and values; safe and enabling school environments; support for parents and carers; intervention and support services, and education and life skills.

The event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs in cooperation with Save the Children International, represents a step towards the defense of children’s rights and their participation in governance.

Parliamentarians took office in December 2022 and the assembly represents a platform where children can voice their concerns and influence policy decisions.

Safe, enabling school environments

Hamisu Megari, one of the parliamentarians representing Yobe State, spoke in parliament about the critical importance of a safe school environment, highlighting the challenges faced by schools, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of basic facilities, insecurity and limited access to healthcare.

He said: “It is well known that children are not safe in their homes, communities or schools. “There are many challenges we face, including inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, bullying and limited access to healthcare.”

Master Megari proposed solutions to address these challenges, including increased education funding, implementation of the Safe School Charter in all 36 states, and community engagement.

Education, life skills

The Assembly also emphasized the need for significant investments in education and life skills training. Councilors called on the government to integrate life skills into the national curriculum, focusing on problem-solving, financial literacy and communication to better prepare children for real-world challenges.

“They must equip teachers with the necessary training to not only influence academic knowledge but also provide guidance and mentoring to children in acquiring basic skills, child development, empathy, creativity and resilience. We also strongly call on the government to press for the full implementation of the Children (Rights) Act, as we believe that if this law is fully implemented, it should ensure that children learn in a safe and conducive environment. ” the parliament demanded.

Social norms, values

Miriam Zaiga, representing the Borno State constituency, expressed concern about social norms and values ​​that violate children’s rights, specifically referring to child marriage and female genital mutilation.

“These practices have dire consequences by depriving young girls of their rights and future.”

He advocated for community education to combat these harmful traditions and emphasized the importance of the Child Rights Act in protecting the rights of all children.

Parliament suggests that the government can end the problem of child marriage by addressing root causes such as poverty, lack of education and limited access to healthcare by holding seminars and workshops to enlighten parents and community leaders about the dangers inherent in the practice. .

Addressing child labor

Representatives shared their perspectives on issues affecting children’s rights, including insecurity, poverty and the urgent need to combat child labor, particularly in cocoa-producing communities.

The representative of Cross River State highlighted a survey by the National Bureau of Statistics which revealed that nearly 14 million children are engaged in hazardous work in Nigeria and called for urgent action by the government to eliminate child labour.

“Subjecting children to child labor deprives them of their rights and potentially harms their physical, mental, emotional and educational health. “The prevalence of child labor during and after school hours in Cross River, Ondo and other cocoa-producing communities has become a matter of public concern,” the representative said.

Organizers speak

In his welcome speech on behalf of the Federal Permanent Secretary for Women Affairs, Gabriel Aduda, the Director of the Department of Child Development, Aliyu Andrew, said the meeting would add value to the credentials of the Federal Minister for Women. Events that he claims are very deliberate in promoting the rights of Nigerian children.

He added that involving children in current issues that affect their well-being enables them to become more aware of their rights to survival, development, protection and participation, which gives them the power to speak out, which reduces the nature of silence on sensitive issues. issues that affect them.

“The importance of today’s session cannot be underestimated. “Involving children in discussions about their rights enables them to speak openly on issues that affect their well-being and reduces the silence on sensitive issues,” she said.

He called on the young parliamentarians to use their tenure wisely and take effective decisions that will contribute to policy making aimed at enhancing the rights and welfare of Nigerian children.

Mr Andrew also called on the remaining states to elect their representatives to ensure inclusive participation in future sessions.

Also speaking, Save the Children International’s Country Director, Duncan Harvey, emphasized the organisation’s long-standing commitment to children’s rights in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to protect children.

He emphasized that the meeting serves as a critical platform for children to express their views on issues affecting them, citing international frameworks that ensure children’s rights.

He said: “It is your right to participate. This meeting is a means through which children across the country can come together and talk about issues that concern them. A child’s future is determined by how his or her rights are respected, protected and realized.

“We must work together to create safe spaces where our children can thrive. Education is not just a right; It is a necessity for their future.”