Since 2008 following the launch of an initiative by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon to end violence against women, communities across nations are yearly called upon to intensify the campaign to create a world free of violence against women and girls.
For 16 days between November and December in the lead up to Human Rights Day, different issues affecting women, girls and their rights are highlighted in various fora and the call to bring change is louder this period.
The perpetrators of violence—physical, sexual and emotional—against women are in most cases men. However, there have been cases of violence against children, in recent times. And some of the perpetrators have been women, in cases not related to sexual violence.
In one case, a couple in the south of Nigeria routinely abandoned a toddler in an empty room, without furniture or bedding, while they—her biological father and stepmother—pursued their business.
The two year old boy was left with neither food not water. He only got days-old eba and soup.
Another woman in Lagos locked up her domestic servant, a teenage girl, and travelled abroad. The incident sparked public outcry.
The girl was said to have been left without provision for adequate feeding or care.
Still more alarming was the case of a woman who allegedly pushed her housegirl from a storey building for suspected theft.
Police is investigating all three cases.
International and national laws are meant to protect children against violence and abuse.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals are some examples. Many countries including Nigeria have domesticated these laws. But they seem insufficient.
Every five minutes a child dies from violence, according to the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children 2016.
One billion children – over half of all children aged two to 17 – are estimated to have experienced emotional, physical and/or sexual violence, according to a 2016 report by the World Health Organisation.
This excludes alarming figures recorded in other forms of violence against children in areas of conflict.
Human rights lawyer Moses Obeta, practising out of Nasarawa, explains that laws abound in Nigeria to prevent violence against children.
“Child Abuse is any treatment that is contrary to the dignity of the child as enshrined in chapter 4 of the Nigeria constitution. There are also Laws like the child right act; a law that protects the right of every Child. Section 11 of the said child right act provide certain dignity for that child so that any treatment that goes against such right shall be deemed child abuse. Not because he or she is from a particular tribe or religion or whatsoever but because he is a human being."
Tinuke, a mother resident in Abuja, believes in discipline but draws the line when it comes to violence against children.
“I am totally against child abuse. I have five children: three boys, two girls yet I still take care of my husband’s sisters two children. I treat them like my own daughters, because it is good to do to others and what you want others do to you.”
According to her, it’s not about the religion or culture it’s about love.
While the outcry usually is against the culprits and how to punish them for their acts, there is always the danger of society forgetting to measure the negative and long-term impact of abuse on the victims.
Medical experts and studies are however quick to point out that a when a child experiences abuse, they are likely to be damaged for life, if they physically survive, or may go about with the physical and emotional bruises for a long time.
These findings make it clear that violence against children breeds damaged citizens, consequently robbing the nation of some of those who might have become its best and brightest had they not been damaged at some point in their young life.
Experts are also concerned about the possibility of the abused child becoming an abusive adult in future, ensuring a vicious cycle of abuse.
The federal government in marking this year’s Children’s Day vowed to ensure rights of the Nigerian child are protected and urged other stakeholders to join in the fight against child violence, as well as make sure that Nigerian children enjoy their rights.
Vice president Yemi Osinbajo made the comments a celebration in Nasarawa, delivered by the state’s commissioner for youths and sports Bamaiyi Anangba.
Federal government also called on State governments to adopt laws and policies that would bring an end to violence against children and other cultural practices that hinder their development. .
However, for society to be healthy and productive, the lives and fate of its young must be protected, hence the need for an end to child abuse in all the ways it presents itself, especially where the perpetrator is a woman who has herself in recent times been enjoying calls for protection.
“It is not that I am against the Child Rights Law, but I see no reason for it because we have African charter on human right, the Nigeria Constitution, penal code in the north , criminal code in the south, and criminal code,” said Obeta.
“All these laws are there to protect the child. What the government need to do is to step up in the area and of enforcement.
Families should be encouraged to love and protect their children-biological, adopted or in their employment.
Laws should also be strengthened to sanction perpetrators severely and make it easy for neighbours or witnessed to report incidents of abuse.
There must in addition be a care, support and rehabilitation system in place for child victims of abuse.
December rolls on, and child rights must remain human rights.
