Commence Immediate Rollout Of Child Protection Bill, SCI Tasks Zamfara State Govt
SAVE the Children International (SCI) Nigeria has called on the Zamfara State government to begin the full and immediate implementation of the Child’s Rights Act (2003) just passed into law by the State House of Assembly almost 18 years after the Act was first presented.
The Child’s Rights Act (2003) law defines a child as any person under the age of 18 and is a comprehensive legal instrument for the protection of the rights of all children in Nigeria.
“The Bill has come to pass at a very critical time when sexual abuse, molestation, rape, early child and forced marriage, child labour, kidnapping, and trafficking are robbing the childhood of many girls and boys.
Madina Abdulkadir, Girl Champion, SCI Nigeria, said, “I am so happy for children in Zamfara. This is great news because the passage of the law is a realisation that all children have the right to a better life and opportunities to grow up safely. I am calling on the states that have signed the law to speed up the full implementation throughout the Federation.
Also speaking, Maryam Ahmed, Youth Ambassador, SCI Nigeria, said, “the adoption of the Child Protection Bill in Zamfara State is a key first step to stop the war on children. I commend the State House of Assembly for being champions of protecting the rights and welfare of children.
SCI Nigeria in collaboration with its partners has been advocating and campaigning towards the domestication of CRA 2003 in Zamfara State.
The organisation (SCI) recognises and appreciates the contribution that partner organizations, CSOs, child champions, children’s parliament, community, and religious and traditional leaders had made towards the adoption of the bill, and will continue its collaboration and partnership with State governments to advance child rights per the provisions of the newly adopted Child Protection Bill.
