‘Abuse, neglect still rampant’ — paediatricians ask states to domesticate Child Rights Act

The Paediatric Association of Nigeria (PAN) has called on state governments to domesticate the Child Rights Act to protect children.

Nigeria adopted the act in 2003 to protect the interests of children and address the challenges facing them.

But some states are yet to domesticate the act, about 20 years after it was passed.

In a statement on Thursday, Olufemi Ogunrinde, president of PAN, said states should domesticate the act in commemoration of this year’s Children’s Day.

The association said Nigerian children are “in a precarious situation”, adding that they are faced with abuse and neglect.

“The average Nigerian child is still in a precarious situation, suffering from the brunt of the economic downturns, civil unrests, natural disasters, insecurity, and mismanagement of nation’s resources,” the statement reads.

“The Nigerian child continues to suffer from vicious cycle of extreme poverty, inequality, and disease. In addition to the unacceptable numbers of children who die every second in Nigeria, the psychosocial effects of social media misuse, child abuse and neglect remain rampant.

“We, therefore, call on all stakeholders to recommit to reinforcing child protection mechanisms through the passage and domestication of the child’s rights act by all governments in Nigeria, to facilitate learning for every child, including the girl child, in both formal and informal settings, to reach every child with basic shelter, healthcare including timely immunisation against diseases, clothing, portable water, and nutritious food.”

The association also called on the federal government to revive the school health programme to provide children with basic nutrition and immunisation for optimal growth and development.