By Oluwatope Lawanson
Devatop Centre for Africa Development, a youth-led anti-human trafficking and human rights organisation, has called on the Nigerian government to strengthen policies protecting Child Domestic Workers (CDWs), rights and dignity.
Mr Joseph Osuigwe, Devatop’s Executive Director, made the call at a stakeholders policy dialogue advancing protection of CDWs rights and dignity.
Osuigwe said the event which was held in Lagos was aimed at reviewing progress made since the first dialogue in April.
According to him, there is need for effective policy implementation to safeguard child domestic workers.
He noted that the dialogue would address child domestic worker exploitation, policy gaps and ensure effective implementation.
He stressed that protecting children from exploitation was a civic duty, not charity while expressing optimism that the dialogue would yield practical plans to strengthen policy implementation
“We are here to review the progress made on the “Take Action” commitments made by stakeholders from the previous policy dialogue.
“To deepen the analysis of existing policy gaps and to identify innovative solutions for enhancing the protection and rights of child domestic workers.
“Devatop has made significant progress through training programs, community engagement, and support services,” he said.
“Osuigwe thereafter, highlighted efforts made so far which had led to improved treatment of CDWs, with increased recognition of their rights and importance of treating children as children, not adults.
“We have trained CDWs and their guardians on child rights and safeguarding, establishing the CDWs Rights Forum in two communities with over 80 participants.
“By way of community engagements, we also trained 40 community influencers as child rights champions, launching a forum to promote child protection.
“Also, we responded to reported child abuse cases and engaged community influencers in awareness campaigns,” he said.
Mrs Comfort Agboko, Lagos Commander of NAPTIP, in an address titled: “Strengthening The Legal Framework for Child Domestic Workers in Nigeria: A Policy Perspective.” called for a strong synergy amongst diverse network of stakeholders and partners.
She said CDWs are the unsung, unappreciated, unrecognised, unrewarded, undocumented and unprotected pillars holding up the new-age family model especially in urban cities.
“They are a work force whose contributions to the economy of their families and society are not documented.”
Agboko noted that in order to create a child safe environment where children are respected, protected and empowered, there was need for effective coordination and collaboration of state and non-state actors providing services to children.
“The place of synergy amongst state and non-state actors cannot be over emphasised.
“It is only when there is effective coordination and collaboration that partners can identify, document and advocate for policies that explicitly addresses child domestic work and the exploitation of same.
“Leverage on resources that advances our common goal through awareness creation, social and behavioural change campaign and involvement of children in the process.
“We must involve children in this process. They must be part of the design of an enabling environment that will help them thrive irrespective of the financial status of their families,” she said
Agboko advocated for training law enforcement officers and judges, increasing access to justice for children, and rebranding law-enforcement units handling children’s issues.
She said: “we must all be ready to be true allies and partners if we are to achieve the goal of providing effective services to, and protecting the interest of child domestic workers in Nigeria.
“The Laws and the institutions are there, but the onus now lies on us to make them effective.
“We will meet challenges and setbacks but we must be committed to this course.
“It is not a hundred-meter dash but a marathon full of obstacle courses. Every action count and every in-action might mean the death of a child.”
Representatives from key organisations, including the Freedom Fund, CAN, NASFAT, Ministry of Labour, and National Human Rights Commission, attended the event, demonstrating their commitment to addressing CDW exploitation. NAN