Stakeholders at a Roundtable and Media Advocacy on Child Rights have advocated the importance of breaking the barrier of silence and ending stigma to enable survivors to speak out without fear.
Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF, Bauchi Field Officer, Barrister Ladi Alabi also made a case on the effects of sexual violence on Children, physical, psychological and social impacts on Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring States.
Barrister Alabi, who spoke with Journalists and other Stakeholders during a one-day stakeholder roundtable on child rights organised by UNICEF on Tuesday in Gombe State, said it’s now imperative to end sexual assault against children.
Alabi noted that responsible journalism and sustained advocacy can play a vital role in influencing policy, strengthening institutions, and creating safer environments for children, especially in this era of digital dispensation.
Describing “Children as Right Holders while Parents are Duty Bearers”, she stressed that the responsibility of the media is to report ethically, protecting survivors’ privacy and dignity while raising awareness.
“It is the role of the media to also strengthen referral pathways so that all actors can respond effectively and compassionately to the rights of a child”, she added.
According to her, the timely reporting and coordinated response by survivors and other Stakeholders can protect survivors and ensure access to services such as psychological, medical, legal, and mental health services, and ensure prompt justice.
Also speaking at the event, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, lamented that many innocent young children are exposed to sexual violence ignorantly, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to checkmate the abuse.
Dr Nuzhat Rafique called on stakeholders to take urgent and coordinated action to protect children from sexual violence, both from homes, communities, schools, worship centres and other social gatherings, aimed at guaranteeing the safety, dignity, and rights of every child.
“Harmful practices such as sexual abuse should be avoided, proper nutrition, especially exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, is essential to child survival and development”.
The Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office explained that malnutrition remains one of the cardinal causes of child mortality in Nigeria, calling for urgent action to address the problem.
Participants at the Roundtable include journalists, security officers, religious and Community leaders, who advocated for long-term solutions which must include sustained investment in prevention through education, awareness campaigns, and community engagement.
Others suggested that rehabilitation centres be built in all referral pathways to enable survivors to complete investigations before proceeding with the case to court to avoid unnecessary interruptions either from the parents or suspects.
Stakeholders opined that Community, traditional, and religious leaders, as critical stakeholders, should assist in preventing abuse, promoting awareness, and encouraging reporting within their domains.
Journalists, stakeholders, as well as security agencies were drawn from Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe States respectively in a one-day event.
