As Nigeria joins the global community in commemorating Universal Children’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety, rights, and well-being of every Nigerian child. This year’s theme, “Advancing Children’s Rights for a Sustainable Future,” is both a call to action and a celebration of the progress we have made in upholding the rights of our children.
The Government of His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR is committed to creating an environment where every child has access to education, health, and a life free from fear and harm.
Progress in Advancing Children’s Rights
The Government of Nigeria has made significant strides in demonstrating its dedication to the Nigerian Child and has implemented several actions and measures towards achieving this goal including:
1. Domestication of the Child Rights Act (CRA 2003):
• To date, all 36 states in Nigeria have adopted this vital legislation, marking a significant step in protecting children’s rights under the Nigerian Constitution.
2. Implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015:
• This Act has strengthened policies to shield children from abuse, violence, and exploitation, reinforcing Nigeria’s stance against all forms of harm toward its youngest citizens.
3. Commitment to the Maputo Protocol:
• Nigeria is taking bold actions to combat violence against children through legislative reviews, enhanced policies, and comprehensive child protection frameworks.
4. Investment in Safe Education:
• Through the National Plan for Financing Safe Schools, over 112 billion Naira has been allocated to safeguard learning environments over the next three years, ensuring that schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for all children.
Challenges and Call to Action
Despite these milestones, challenges persist. I therefore call for collective action from parents, educators, policymakers, traditional rulers, and community leaders to address critical issues such as child labor, trafficking, harmful cultural practices, and barriers to inclusive education.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, will continue to champion:
• Inclusive, equitable education, especially for girls and children in underserved communities.
• Family-centered interventions to create supportive and safe household environments.
• Programs to challenge harmful societal norms, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Upcoming Initiatives
Let me also extend an invitation to stakeholders to participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, scheduled for November 25 to December 10, 2024. This campaign aligns with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores our shared mission to protect women, children, and vulnerable groups across Nigeria.
We have also made far reaching Global Commitments towards safe guarding the rights of the child.
At the recent Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, in Bogota, Colombia, we Nigeria reiterated our pledge to:
• Strengthen laws such as the CRA and VAPP Acts.
• Expand child protection services to reach 2 million children by 2030.
• Invest in evidence-based parenting programs to reach 10 million families by 2030.
• Create safe school environments through positive discipline, anti-bullying initiatives, and comprehensive security measures.
These commitments align with African Union standards and reflect Nigeria’s leadership role in protecting children’s rights across the continent.
In Closing, As we celebrate Universal Children’s Day, let us remember that every child represents our collective future. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs remains unwavering in its mission to build a Nigeria where every child is empowered, protected, and given the environment and tools to thrive.
We urge all stakeholders to join us in this noble cause. Together, we can create a society where children’s rights are not only protected but celebrated as the foundation of a sustainable and prosperous future.
Signed
Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, fsi
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs
November 20, 2024