Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, has urged African countries to strengthen policy frameworks and governance to protect children’s rights and end all harmful practices.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the Community Children’s Fund Launch Event with the theme, “Advancing Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040: Protecting StreetConnected Children in West Africa’’ at SOAS University of London.
She noted that Nigerian children make up to 42 per cent of the total population, yet millions face extreme vulnerabilities.
“Among the 3 million people displaced in the Northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY), 59 per cent are children exposed to exploitation, violence, and lack of education.
“ More than 10.5 million Nigerian children of primary school age are out of school, with girls accounting for 60 per cent, further perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
“More than 4 out of 10 girls are married or in a union before the age of 18, limiting their future opportunities and exposing them to lifelong hardships.
“Child labour remains rampant, with millions of children engaged in hazardous work across various sectors, depriving them of a safe and secure childhood.
“Malnutrition is a major concern, contributing to 32 per cent of deaths among children under five,” she said.
The minister observed that the statistics are not different from what is obtainable in other African countries.
She stressed the need for comprehensive interventions to protect and empower Nigerian children and create a safe, secure environment that will enable them to achieve their potential.
“It is critical to not only develop but also fully implement and enforce robust policies that protect children’s rights across the continent.
“This includes ensuring the review, domestication, and execution of the Child Rights Act in every African nation.
“Equally important is the allocation of adequate resources to child protection systems, enabling them to function effectively.
“Accountability mechanisms must be institutionalised to monitor and evaluate progress, ensuring that no child is left behind.
“I expect that the Community Children’s Fund being launched today should play a role in financing these efforts in the spirit of burden sharing to ensure that grassroots interventions receive the support they need to make a tangible impact,’’ she added.
The ministers reiterated the Nigerian government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with regional partners, international organisations, and civil society groups, taking advantage of mechanisms that will strengthen the national response to the social protection of women, children, families, and vulnerable people.
“Nigeria is committed to deepening collaboration with regional partners, international organisations, and civil society. We are exploring innovative financing mechanisms to scale our initiatives and ensure sustainability.
“Most importantly, we are prioritising the inclusion of children’s voices in policy formulation and implementation because no solution is complete without the input of those it seeks to serve,’’ she said. (NAN)
