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By Damiete Braide
The management of Goodluck Jonathan Estate, Isheri-Idimu, Lagos, has agreed to incorporate a child protection clause into the estate’s governing constitution as part of efforts to strengthen the safety, welfare and rights of children within the community.
The initiative is being promoted by the Centre for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) under its Protect Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment Programme, implemented through the Freedom Fund Nigeria Hotspot Initiative.
The estate, which has more than 4,000 residents, made the commitment following engagements with CAPRIGHTS-VP on the need to formally integrate child protection into its community governance framework.
The commitment was formalised by the Chairman of the Goodluck Jonathan Estate Residents Association, Adelaja Abiodun; the Secretary, Mrs Olusegun; and CAPRIGHTS-VP Programme Manager, Ngozi Mirian Arinze, Esq.
The proposed clause is aimed at making child protection an integral part of the rules governing residents, households and businesses operating within the estate.
Under the provision, the estate management is expected to uphold and protect the rights, safety, welfare, dignity and best interests of every child in the community, in line with applicable child protection laws, including the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law.
The clause prohibits residents, household members and business operators from subjecting children to abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking, hazardous labour or any other conduct capable of endangering their welfare and development.
It also places a responsibility on residents to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse, exploitation or neglect.
Reports received by the estate management are expected to be treated confidentially, while serious cases would be referred immediately to relevant government agencies or law enforcement authorities for investigation and appropriate action.
Speaking on the partnership, Abiodun said the estate had already been taking steps to promote child protection, but noted that incorporating the provision into its constitution would strengthen the initiative.
“We have been implementing child protection in the estate, and with CAPRIGHTS-VP coming in to support us, we will take it a step further by including child protection provisions in our constitution, which is currently under review,” he said.
CAPRIGHTS-VP said the initiative was designed to address gaps in the protection of children living or working in private households, particularly child domestic workers who may be vulnerable to abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The organisation said its advocacy was aimed at encouraging residential estates to incorporate child protection provisions into their constitutions, governing rules and tenancy agreements.
According to research cited by the organisation, a study by the Freedom Fund and NORC at the University of Chicago in Lagos found that 96.7 per cent of child domestic workers surveyed experienced indicators of the worst forms of child labour.
The study also found that many of the children worked long hours and lacked adequate protection, while a significant proportion were girls and some started domestic work at a very young age.
CAPRIGHTS-VP said residential estates were strategically positioned to contribute to child protection because estate managements already regulate several aspects of community life, including security, sanitation, use of common facilities and other conditions of residence.
It said formalising child protection within these existing structures could encourage residents and estate managers to recognise their responsibilities towards children and facilitate early reporting and intervention in suspected cases of abuse.
The organisation disclosed that it had commenced discussions with other residential estates and Local Council Development Authorities in Alimosho and other parts of Lagos State to expand the initiative.
Arinze said the engagement with Goodluck Jonathan Estate represented an important step towards strengthening child safeguarding at the community level.
CAPRIGHTS-VP said it would continue to work with the estate management towards the formal incorporation of the child protection clause into its governing documents.
The initiative is also expected to encourage other residential estates, landlords, residents’ associations and community leaders across Lagos State to adopt similar measures to strengthen child protection within their communities.
