Even though Borno State adopted the Child Rights Act seven months ago, many people are still not aware of its existence and do not believe children have rights, allowing widespread abuse to continue.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said millions of Nigerian children suffered some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence. And it was no different in the northeast of the country.
Children’s rights include the right to health, education, family life, play and recreation, an adequate standard of living and to be protected from abuse and harm. Children’s rights cover their developmental and age-appropriate needs that change over time as a child grows up. A child is regarded as anyone below the age of 18.
UNICEF said that children faced numerous challenges to their rights and wellbeing that needed to be addressed, including lack of access to education, adequate primary healthcare, good nutrition and protection from violence – especially girls.
“Child rights protection legislation puts in place measures that, if implemented, can ensure important and much-needed protection for girls, so that they can grow and thrive on an equal footing,” the agency said.
Some of the challenges children in Nigeria faced were poverty, discriminatory practices as it related to handicapped children, right to health care, right to education, child abuse, street children, child marriage, female genital mutilation and child trafficking.
Fatima Muhammad Rufa’i, a mother of two, told RNI that the first time she heard about the the law protecting children’s rights was during the interview with reporter Aisha Jamal.
“I’m not aware of any law that protects children’s rights. All I know is that as a mother it is my responsibility to take care of my children with or without any law.”
Habiba Kyari said: “I’m aware of the act as a mother but I still want the authorities to ensure justice is done to children who are treated violently because they have rights and their rights should come first all the time. Perpetrators of violence should be punished.”
Ibrahim Sani, a father, said: “I want the government to do more to make people aware of the law so that they will report cases of abuse and ensure criminals are punished and a safe environment is provided for young children.”
Shettima Mustapha, a legal practitioner in Borno State, said he believed the law was working.
“In the past seven months I have not come across anyone in court who has committed crimes against children. It might be because people are aware of the Act and are more protective of their children now.”
He said women, children and the elderly were more likely to be the victims of abuse. But he believed the introduction of the law in the state had gone a long way to help them and preserve their rights.
“Now that the law is being implemented, I am sure most people will not commit crimes against children because they would be afraid of the legal repercussions.”
Lucy Yunana, a woman and children’s rights activist, told RNI that the public had still not fully accepted the Child Rights Act, regarding it as a “new culture” that had been introduced to them.
“The public still assumes children have no rights because most people have not been made aware of the Act and what it means for children. They are ignorant about the law and do not understand that it is there to protect children.
“Whenever we come across violence committed against a child, we try to get involved but the parents tell us that we did not give birth to the child and so we have no right to interfere. They tell us to leave them alone,” she said.
“Some cases, such as torture, child labour and rape – and the denial of many other rights – are continuing unabated, despite the protection of the law.
“Our job is always to protect women and children because every child is important in the society but sadly most of the cases of violence and abuse are underreported and pose a great challenge to the state.”
Yunana said some people reported acts of violence against women and children. “But we need more people to do so. The public needs to be made aware of the Child Rights Act and to know that every child in society has rights.”
She said authorities needed to make the public aware of the Act so that they know they are obliged to report cases of abuse.
“It’s not that the crimes have stopped, it’s just that people might not be aware of the Act and so do not comply with the law and treat us with disdain. We face these challenges every day.”
AISHA SD JAMAL
