Group Partners Media To Promote Child Protection

A group, Young African Leadership Initiative ( YALI), on Tuesday called on the media and other stakeholders to embark on massive awareness programmes to push for the adoption of the Child Right Act in all states in the country.

Kaduna State Coordinator of YALI, Mr Daniels Akpan made the call in an interview in Kaduna.

Akpan said it was also important for the media and all stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the Act in states where it was domesticated.

According to him, part of the support would come through creating awareness on its content and how it affects the welfare of children.

This, he noted, would enable parents and communities to appreciate the law and how it applied to everyday situation of the child.

Akpan said stakeholders like the police, courts, traditional leaders, NGO’s and the public must work hand in hand, so that the law would serve its purpose.

While commending the Kaduna State House of Assembly for the passage of the bill into law, the coordinator was however not happy that the bill stayed for too long at the assembly.

“The child protection and welfare bill should have been passed into law long ago as children are vulnerable and victims of abuse.

“The adults have for too long turned deaf to their cries, their rights have been trampled on, they are voiceless, no one to stand for them”, he said.

However, Akpan expressed optimism on the implementation of the law in the state, saying it would help curb atrocities committed against children.

The Child Protection and Welfare Bill was passed into law by the assembly on Feb. 8.