BENIN CITY – The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for the effective implementation of the Edo Child Rights Law, particularly in rural communities where children remain most vulnerable.
Solomon Adoga, Senior Programme Manager of CISLAC made the call on Thursday in Benin during advocacy visits to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Society to Heighten Awareness of Women and Children Abuse (SOTHAWACA).
Adoga said the visit was part of the EU-funded project Strengthening Child Care and Protection Systems in Nigeria, implemented by a consortium including CISLAC, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, and Jire Do Foundation.
The senior programme manager commended the ongoing review of the state child rights law, but stressed that the review must be matched with enforcement and awareness creation.
“We cannot have an old law to respond to current issues. We believe that it is not just enough to have laws, but the enforcement is most important.
“But, you cannot enforce what the people are not aware of, hence, the need for this advocacy.
“So, on this leg, we are basically looking at the review of the law at this point in time. It’s implementation and of course how people that are involved are coordinated into that process.
“If the state on its own is implementing and reviewing its law, clearly it is understandable that there’s the need to address those gaps to strengthen child care and protection.
“We agree completely with that because child care and protection is an evolving time. We cannot have an old law corresponding to current issues.
“So basically we are looking to support the process, complete the review and beyond that also partners with the state in its implementation.
“We also know the importance of sensitization and awareness creation amongst the citizens to understand the provisions of this law even as we do,” Adoga said.
Responding, the Edo Coordinator of the NHRC, Dosumu Olumide, represented by Chief Investigation Officer, Temi-Tonwe Weyimi, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting children’s rights.
“Child rights are core to the work of the National Human Rights Commission. We have engaged in sensitization workshops in schools and continue to work with various committees to strengthen child protection,” Weyimi said.
On her part, Ronke Ojeikere, Initiator of SOTHAWACA and member of the Edo Gender-Based Management Committee, decried the rising cases of child labour in the state.
“If you look around Edo State, there is a role reversal. Parents are not working, and children are now the ones working to support families. This is alarming and must be addressed,” she said.
