By Umar Dankano, Yola.
Stakeholders have urged governments to ensure that all necessary actions are taken in protecting child rights especially as it relates to bodily autonomy in the North East states and country at large.
The resolution was reached at a stakahol der’s roundtable and advocacy on protecting child rights organized by the Unicef in collaboration with Adamawa, Gombe and Bauchi state governments held in Gombe state on Tuesday noting that children need to be taught to speak out on issues concerning them.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr.Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Unicef, Bauchi field office appealed to stakeholders and the governments to apply child protection rights noting that children are the most precious gift from our supreme being (God) which deserve care and nurturing diligently.
Dr. Rafique said that immediately a child is born then his or her right begins from the step of child registration right, Health survival, exclusive breastfeeding and nutrition protection rights among others calling on stakeholders to contribute in improving awareness on fundamental rights of a child.
Rafique maintained that the roundtable meeting will go a long way in tackling some of the child’s abuses through a continuous system to give access to healthcare, nutrition, education and a safe environment.
“While commending state governments for their efforts,l also urge on increased public education and community engagement as well as more awareness among parents and caregivers on the rights of children”.Rafique stressed.
In her presentation on increase of sexual violence against children in the three stat es of Adamawa,Bauchi and Gombe, the Unicef Child protection Specialist, Mrs Ladi Alabi explained that available data from Child protection Information Mana gement System,CPIMS has revealed that there is steady increase or rise in reported cases across the three states between late 2024 to early 2026.
Alabi explained that sexual violence against children has serious long-term effects, including psychological trauma, risk of infections and unintended pregnancies calling for urgent and coordinated action to ensure protection of children in our communities.
Alabi decried that reported figures on child abuses present a minor fraction of actual happenings because most sexual abuse cases are not reported due to fear, stigma, religious and cultural beliefs with even limited reporting channels continue to prevent many survivors from telling their stories.
She charged survivors on the need to report cases of violation promptly so that absolute care can be attained to noting that,One stop shop Centres and Sexual Assault Referral Centres are outl ets designated for psychosocial, medical and legal supports for the survivors in one location.
In their separate speeches, the Village head of Doho Community and District head Dukku Emirate in Gombe state, Alhaji Magaji Abubakar and Alhaji Idris Muhammad have promised to intensify more awareness campaigns in their domains as traditional leaders.
They pledged to work with the service providers,government,and media to strengthen advocacy and promote a collective response to end violence against children across all communities.
Among the stakeholders that graced the roundtable meeting were; the media,Law enforcement agencies, Civil Society Organizations(CSOs), legal practitioners as well as traditional and religious leaders respectively.
