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The Federal Government has described as alarming, the statistics
on violence against children in the country.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, OON, mni made this known in
her keynote address at the opening session of a two-day stakeholders’ forum on
ending violence against children in Nigeria on Monday 7th October, 2024 in
Abuja.
She decried that recent studies established that approximately
six out of 10 children experience one or more forms of physical, sexual, or
emotional violence before the age of 18.
According to her, “These reports and data underscore the need
for concerted efforts among stakeholders to intensify their commitment to
protecting the most vulnerable among us”.
“We have to create a world where all children can thrive and be
supported to reach their full potential.
“Ending violence against children requires a multifaceted
approach with concerted and intentional efforts of all stakeholders,
institutions and development partners.
“Particularly those invested in developing and implementing
government policies, to embark on initiatives and institutionalize mechanisms
to address the scourge’’.
She explained that by working together with a common goal,
governments, organizations, communities, and individuals can build a safer
world for the children.
“Let us use this opportunity to reinforce our commitment to end
the scourge of violence against children in our communities and nation”.
Jedy-Agba said, “We will also ensure that children who suffer
from violence are given the necessary physical and mental support they require
to be rehabilitated’’.
The SGF/PS maintained that one major area that requires reform
is the juvenile justice system, which includes government agencies and
institutions: that function to investigate, supervise, adjudicate, care for, or
confine delinquent juveniles or children in contact with the law.
According to her, “Apart from addressing overcrowding in
juvenile homes, delays in the legal process, and inadequate resources in
detention centers to cater to juveniles: there is the need for a review of laws
and government policy to adopt a reformative approach for children in contact
with the law.
“This is in order to address the root causes of criminal
behavior in children, such as poverty, neglect, and lack of education’’.
She noted that the Childs Right Act/Laws guarantees respect for
the dignity of the child and stipulates that children shall not be subjected to
physical, mental or emotional abuse.
“However, it is very disheartening that only a fraction of
children whose rights are violated come forward to seek redress or have access
to justice which will enable them seek redress.
“More disheartening is the fact that even when children report
abuse, few are able to obtain effective support or rehabilitation and may
suffer discrimination from their families and their communities.
“Therefore, we must pull together institutional resources and
support to ensure that children who suffer violence are able to report to
competent authorities’’.
She assured Federal Ministry of Justice commitment to preventing
and punishing violence against children.
She disclosed that, “One of the measures we have undertaken in
this regard is to designate specialized prosecutors to handle cases of violence
against girls who were in Boko Haram captivity or violated by the members of
the group’’.
She urged stakeholders to raise awareness about the issue and
its devastating impacts, strengthen child protection laws and their enforcement
and provide support services for at-risk children and families.
“We should promote positive parenting and non-violent
disciplinary methods and address root causes like poverty, inequality, and lack
of education and as well empower children to speak up and seek help’’.
In her welcome address, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, Director of
Administration of Criminal Justice and Reforms Department in the ministry, said
the gathering was a call to action.
“It is a collective responsibility to protect and safeguard the
welfare and the interest of the most vulnerable members of our society.
She stated that, “It is an opportunity for us to review the
progress we have made, to identify the obstacles that remain on our path and
draw a strategy towards surmounting the obstacles.”
In her goodwill message, Ms Mona Aika, the Child Protection
Manager, UNICEF, commended the ministry for leading the conversation.
She described as alarming a data indicating that 6 out of 10
children experienced physical, sexual violence before attaining 18 years adding
“worst still, they do not receive the help they require.
The Speaker, FCT Children Parliament, Waziri Rahama-Yarada urged
all stakeholders to help stem the menace, assuring that the parliament would be
presenting a Charter of Demand before the end of the programmme.
Other speakers were the President, Nigerian Association of
Family Court Judges, Magistrates and Other Practitioners, the Etsu of Kwali
among others.