The Federal Government has deplored the alarming rate of violence against children in the country. Recent studies show that approximately six out of 10 children experience one or more forms of physical, sexual, or emotional violence before the age of 18. The report also said that only a few of those who repor violence receive significant forms of support. Nigeria has the highest number of child brides in Africa.
Unfortunately, most of them are from poor and rural communities. The Solicitor-General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, disclosed this at the opening session of a two-day stakeholders’ forum on ending violence against children in Nigeria held in Abuja.
“These reports and data underscore the need for concerted efforts among stakeholders to intensify their commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us and create a world where all children can thrive and be supported to reach their full potential,” she stated.
It is also worth stating that the federal and state governments have also put measures in place to check violence against children. Perhaps these measures are not being strictly enforced due to lack of funds. The Child Protection Manager of UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms. Mona Aika, said, though all the states in the federation had passed the Child’s Rights Act, it was crucial for the government at all levels to ensure that the laws are implemented and enforced.
Therefore, UNICEF has advised that necessary resources should be allocated to the child protection sector in the budgets at both the federal and state levels, as well as ensuring that budgeted funds were released for implementation. While some states have domesticated the Child’s Right Act, it has been poorly enforced. The number of child brides is increasing instead of abating.
Also, the number of out-of-school children is steadily rising across the country to the extent that it has ballooned to over 20 million. We urge those states yet to domestic the Child’s Right Act to quickly do so. Beyond its domestication, the 36 state governments must ensure that its provisions are strictly enforced.
We abhor the rising violence against children and urge the government to bring the perpetrators to justice. Various forms of violence against children abound simply because the culprits are not fished out and given adequate punishment. They may occur in many places, including homes, schools, among friends and law enforcement institutions in disregard to the Child’s Rights Act. Perpetrators of violence against children tend to get away from their heinous acts due to lack of law enforcement. The Federal Government should intensify efforts to partner with the relevant bodies, including the judiciary and NGOs for a multifaceted solution against the menace. The legal frameworks for ending violence against children should be strengthened to punish those perpetrating the act.
It has been established that violence against children is high among the poor partly because of poverty. At the same time, economic hardship has left many parents frustrated to fend for their families. That is why child beggars and hawkers are becoming rampant. Therefore, efforts should be made to lift many Nigerian families out of poverty by state governments, especially where poverty is widespread to limit rising violence against children. One of the ways to achieve this is by creating people-friendly policies and providing direct support to the most vulnerable people and groups.
Terrorism, insurgency and banditry in some parts of the country have contributed to growing violence against children. Villages are invaded and homes and sources of livelihood destroyed. Many children are killed, raped and tortured. Some are recruited as terrorists. Schools are also overrun by outlaws and students kidnapped. The Federal Government should tighten security all over the country to limit the incidents of violence against children.
We decry the culture of early marriage in some parts of the country. A report by Save Our Children in 2021 lamented that 78 per cent of girls in northern Nigeria marry at 18. It indicted Nigeria for having one of the highest rates of child marriage globally. Unwholesome cultural practices and social norms that condition parents and girls to accept child marriage as the norm should be jettisoned. They infringe on the rights of children.