In a goodwill message to mark this year’s Children’s Day, the international body said such grave violations were very high in the North-East, Nigeria,
In the message signed by Jean Gough, Representative UNICEF Nigeria, which was presented in Enugu and other parts of the country, he said the theme of this year’s Children’s Day, “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage”, was helping to shed a much needed light on the unprecedented levels of violence against children in Nigeria in the recent past and present.
He observed that “in the North East, we have witnessed, and continue to witness grave violations of children’s rights – killings, abductions, sexual violence and use in suicide bombings by Boko Haram. More than 1.2 million children have been displaced – more than half of them below the age of 5.
“However, children living away from the crisis in the northeast are also at risk of violence.
“The Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey (carried out by the National Population Commission, with the support of UNICEF and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), launched by Government of Nigeria in September 2015, highlighted the prevalence of sexual, physical, and emotional violence suffered by children in Nigeria.
“The survey estimates that half of all children in Nigeria experience physical violence, one in four girls and one in ten boys experience sexual violence and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence before they reach the age of 18 years. Less than 4% get the help they need to recover.”
“This year’s Children’s Day offers the opportunity to highlight the significant pledges made by the Federal Government, NGOs, religious groups and the media last September to join hands to end violence against children, and call for renewed efforts by all stakeholders to turn the commitments they made into action for children.
“In response, His Excellency, President Buhari had launched the Year of Action to End Violence Against Children on 15thSeptember 2015, in conjunction with the National Priority Actions, which not only set out the key actions of national Ministries and Agencies, but also of NGOs, religious groups and the media. He called upon all States to launch their own campaigns and every Nigerian to play their part in ending violence against children.
“Progress has been made. Lagos was the first State to heed the President’s call, launching their own campaign and priority actions in February 2016. Cross River will be the second in June 2016. Bayelsa State domesticated the Child Rights Act. Nine States, with funding from USAID and the European Union, have joined together to develop a model child protection system in order to translate this essential Act into reality. 12 States will hold#iMarch4Children marches today to raise societal awareness on the prevalence and impact of violence against children.
There is no better time than today to take action. Together, let’s end violence against children”, he said.
Also speaking, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State declared that the incidence of child trafficking and other vices against children had reduced to the minimum in the State.
Ugwuanyi, who stated this in his speech at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, to mark the Children’s Day celebration, said the decline in child trafficking was a result of collaboration between the government and so many other bodies.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, noted that his administration, since it’s inception, had continued “to show its commitment towards the proper intellectual and social development of our children.”
He added that “this commitment is demonstration by the efforts we are currently
making to ensure the renovation of all the primary and secondary schools in the state and the provision of essential equipment,
furniture and facilities for the benefit of our children.
“The government has also taken steps to strengthen the relevant Boards
and agencies in the management of primary and secondary education to ensure more qualitative education and more conducive environment for the growth and learning of our children.
“Through the State Ministry of Gender Affairs, the government and in partnership with relevant Federal Agencies and non-governmental agencies, we have achieved a significant reduction in the incidence of
child trafficking and other illegal practices that negative affect the rights and development of children.
“The Enugu State Child Rights Act is now before the State House of Assembly and when passed, will provide important legal support for our efforts in this direction.”
“We have also successfully sustained the Maternal and Child Health Care
Programme which has continued to earn plaudits from relevant local and
international organizations.
“However, despite these commendable efforts, we believe that the training and proper development of our children should be a collective responsibility of all adults and relevant institutions in the society”, he further stated.
Governor Ugwuanyi called on all teachers, parents, the churches and civil society organizations in the State, to intensify their efforts at guaranteeing the safety of children from abuses and ensuring their exposure to conditions that engender excellent intellectual,
social and moral development.
Earlier, the Enugu State Commissioner for Gender affairs and Social Development, Rt. Hon. Princess Nnaji described child marriage as “another potent instrument that destroys completely the development of children as most of them usually end up not finishing their education and most often face health problems like the Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).
While expressing the hope that the Child Rights Bill would soon be passed by the State’s House of Assembly, she called on Nigerians to wage a common war against child marriage and all forms of violence against children.
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