Stakeholders on child protection yesterday in Jos the Plateau State Capital, converged to offer ways of invigorating the dilapidated Child Right Implementation Committee in the State.
The meeting which was held at the instance of the United Nation’s Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), drew participants from government and private organisations.
The hitherto existing implementation committee set up years back had passed out, hence the need to constitute a new one.
Plateau remains one state in Nigeria that has domesticated the child right law since 2005, and also established a family court that would handle cases of violence against children.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Ladi Alabi, a Child Specialist with UNICEF, said the meeting was aimed at hastening relevant stakeholders to ensure the rebirth of the implementation committee.
She added that the meeting bothered on the need to ensure that legislations inhibiting violence against children was adequately implemented in the state.
”We have come as stakeholders in the business of child protection, to share ideas pinpoint loopholes of the erstwhile committee and ensure the rebirth of a formidable one.
”It is one thing to domesticate the Child Right Law, but it is a different ball game to have a strong committee that will ensure its discharge.
”So, we are here to deliberate, brainstorm and seek ways to make this committee come back and work effectively,” she stressed.
Alabi further explained that the committee would be responsible for initiating actions to popularise the Rights and Welfare of a child in the society.
She added that the Committee would recommend to government specific programmes and projects that would enhance the implementation of the Rights of a Child.
Alabi also said that the committee would carry out enlightenment campaign and collect information about the welfare and rights of a child.
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