As Nigeria prepares for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) starting November 25, having joined the global observance of the Universal Children’s Day on November 20, ENE OSHABA examines the imperatives of child welfare and gender equality.
Universal Children’s Day, observed on November 20, each year, underscores the global commitment to advancing children’s rights and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive.
This year’s theme: “Advancing Children’s Rights for A Sustainable Future,” resonates deeply in a nation like Nigeria, where the challenges to child welfare, education, and safety are as urgent as ever.
Simultaneously, the 16 Days of Activism campaign, set to run from November 25 to December 10, offers an opportunity to shine a light on the pervasive issue of gender-based violence, which disproportionately affects girls and women.
As a country deeply invested in shaping a future where every child, especially girls, can live free from violence and inequality, Nigeria is doubling down on efforts to tackle these challenges head-on.
The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and various civil society organizations (CSOs) highlights Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to these critical issues.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, began her tenure with an emphasis on the importance of gender equality, child welfare, and the fight against violence. She expressed her deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust placed in her and the opportunity to lead the charge for advancing the rights of Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The minister reflected on the significant challenges Nigerian women face, particularly in terms of economic empowerment, political representation, and education.
She highlighted that, despite women making up nearly half of the Nigerian population they continue to encounter numerous barriers that prevent them from realizing their full potential in various sectors, including business, politics, and education.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s speech was a clarion call for transformative action.
“This is your time,” she told Nigerian women, asserting that her ministry would focus on empowering women through access to skills development, entrepreneurial support, and political participation.
Her strong stance aligns with Nigeria’s larger goals for achieving gender equity and ending violence against women and children.
Progress in advancing children’s rights
Nigeria has made significant strides in advancing the rights of children, particularly in legislative measures, policy implementation, and institutional support.
A key milestone in this regard is the domestication of the Child Rights Act (CRA) of 2003, a critical piece of legislation designed to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. With all 36 states in Nigeria now having adopted the CRA, the country has set a legal framework that aligns with international best practices for child protection.
In addition, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 has strengthened Nigeria’s stance against violence in all forms, particularly sexual and physical abuse of children. This legislation has been pivotal in addressing issues such as child labor, trafficking, and female genital mutilation (FGM). By creating a robust legal foundation, Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society—its children.
Moreover, Nigeria has committed to regional and international frameworks like the Maputo Protocol, which aims to promote and protect the rights of women and children across Africa. Through this commitment, Nigeria has taken a leadership role in advocating for policies that protect children from violence and exploitation on a continental level.
An additional area of focus is safe education, where the Nigerian government has placed emphasis on ensuring that schools become safe spaces for children to learn and grow. Through the National Plan for Financing Safe Schools, the government has committed to investing over 112 billion Naira over the next three years to safeguard educational institutions. This initiative aims to address the growing concerns around school security, especially in areas affected by violence and conflict, ensuring that children can pursue education without fear.
During her speech, Sulaiman-Ibrahim reinforced the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening child protection services and ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
As part of these efforts, the government has pledged significant investments in initiatives aimed at making schools safer, with a National Plan for Financing Safe Schools, which includes a 112 billion Naira investment over three years to protect educational institutions.
Importance of ending violence against women and children
Despite these impressive efforts, the journey toward achieving a society where children’s rights are fully protected is far from complete.
One of the most pressing issues is the rising incidence of violence against children in all its forms.
Every year, millions of children in Nigeria are subjected to abuse, exploitation, and neglect, often within their homes, schools, or communities.
In response to these challenges, Nigeria is not only strengthening existing laws but also investing in community-based initiatives designed to prevent and mitigate violence against children.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign provides an opportune moment to call attention to these issues and mobilise all sectors of society to take action.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, civil society organisations, and international bodies, continues to advocate for inclusive and equitable education, particularly for girls, and for the elimination of harmful cultural practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
As we move into the final months of 2024, Nigeria is prioritising a range of critical interventions to improve the welfare of its children, including efforts to combat child labor, trafficking, and discriminatory practices. Additionally, there is a concerted push for family-centered interventions that promote safe, supportive, and nurturing environments for children within the home.
These efforts align with the goals of Universal Children’s Day to ensure that every child, regardless of gender, background, or circumstances, is afforded the opportunity to thrive in a world that values and protects their rights.
Tackling GBV, child abuse root causes
The road to achieving a fully inclusive society remains long and fraught with challenges. Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s speech underscored the urgency of confronting the deeply entrenched societal norms and discriminatory practices that fuel gender-based violence (GBV) and child exploitation. These include harmful cultural practices such as early child marriage, female genital mutilation, and child labour.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a critical moment to amplify the government’s call for justice, equality, and progress in the fight against GBV.
The minister harped on the fact that Nigeria would work tirelessly to ensure that women’s voices are represented in all areas of governance, emphasising the importance of creating legal frameworks that empower women and protect their rights.
She assured the public that the ministry would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Justice and law enforcement agencies to address gender-based violence, ensuring that swift and effective justice is delivered to survivors.
As a testament to her resolve, the minister cited her previous leadership at the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), where she successfully led Nigeria’s move from the Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 1 in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report.
She vowed to bring the same level of commitment and results-driven approach to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Addressing girl’s specific needs
The minister’s speech also addressed the disproportionate impact of violence and exploitation on girls, a theme that resonates deeply within the context of the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF).
According to the forum, about 10.5 million children in Nigeria are out of school, with 38 per cent of them being girls. This alarming statistic highlights the need for increased investments in education for girls, who are often the first to suffer due to cultural norms, poverty, and gender-based violence.
Additionally, WIPF’s reports emphasize that one in four adolescent girls will experience abuse before the age of 19, and 9 million girls in Nigeria will be married off as children by 2030 unless urgent action is taken. In response to these challenges, WIPF has been actively involved in advocating for girls’ education and gender equality, working on community-based initiatives such as self-defense training and menstrual health education to empower girls and protect them from violence.
As Nigeria focuses on advancing the rights of all children, particular attention must be given to the needs of girls, who often face compounded challenges due to gender-based discrimination and violence.
The forum reiterated the need for advocating for the protection and empowerment of girls. Through its initiatives, WIPF has worked to amplify the voices of girls and ensure that their specific needs are addressed within Nigeria’s broader developmental framework.
One of the most alarming statistics highlighted by WIPF is the number of girls who remain out of school. According to the forum, approximately 10.5 million children in Nigeria are out of school, with 38 per cent of this number being girls.
This alarming figure underscores the urgent need for greater investment in education, especially for girls, who are often the first to be pulled out of school due to cultural practices, poverty, or gender-based violence.
The forum also highlights that by the time they are 19 years old, 1 in 4 adolescent girls will have experienced abuse, and 9 million girls will be married as children by 2030.
These statistics are stark reminders that without intentional action, the future for Nigeria’s girls will be one of limited opportunity and increasing vulnerability.
The WIPF has called on key stakeholders, government agencies, community leaders, civil society organizations, and the general public, to prioritise girls’ empowerment and ensure that every girl has access to quality education, health care, and protection from violence.
Strengthening community efforts for girls’ empowerment
In a bid to address these issues, WIPF has launched a series of impactful activities in collaboration with local communities and organisations. These activities include: gender-based violence training for traditional, religious, and community leaders, self-defense training for women and girls in the Ushafa community in Bwari, FCT.
Others are the menstrual health education to equip girls with the knowledge they need to manage their health and hygiene with dignity.
Through these programmes, WIPF aims to equip girls with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves, raise awareness about gender-based violence, and promote a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
As WIPF, Programme Officer, Oluchi Okpechi, noted: “Empowering girls is crucial for a brighter future.”
Collective call to action
While significant strides have been made, it is clear that the journey to a safer, more equitable Nigeria for children and women is an ongoing effort that requires the participation and collaboration of all sectors of society.
In her recent press statement, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim, issued a compelling call to action to all Nigerians: parents, educators, policymakers, community leaders, and the general public.
Reflecting on the progress made thus far, she stressed that it is imperative to confront the realities of gender-based violence, child labour, and other violations of children’s rights head-on, with a shared commitment to effecting lasting change.
Nigeria’s commitment to children’s rights is not only reflected in its domestic policies but also in its international engagements.
At the recent Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogota, Colombia, Nigeria made bold pledges that underscore its leadership role in the global effort to protect children.
These commitments include: strengthening laws such as the Child Rights Act and VAPP Act, Expanding child protection services to reach two million children by 2030.
The country also pledged to invest in evidence-based parenting programmes to reach 10 million families by 2030 and Creating safe school environments through initiatives like positive discipline and anti-bullying programmes.
These pledges not only align with the African Union’s standards but also demonstrate Nigeria’s dedication to building a society where children’s rights are protected, and their futures are safeguarded.
Visioning a future built on the rights of children and women as Nigeria commemorates Universal Children’s Day and prepares for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the call for collective action has never been more urgent.
Every Nigerian has a role to play in creating a society where children, particularly girls, are free from violence and discrimination. The steps Nigeria has already taken in advancing children’s rights are commendable, but much work remains to be done.
The future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its children, and it is the duty of every citizen, organization, and government agency to ensure that these children, especially its girls, are given the protection, education, and opportunities they deserve. With continued collaboration, commitment, and investment, Nigeria can create a society where children’s rights are not just a legal obligation but a lived reality for every child.
