A total of 212,480 child rights complaints were received in the year 2020, a marked increase in the number of cases from the 119,281 figure recorded in 2019.
Delta state had the highest number of child rights complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission with 37,363 and accounting for 17.7% of the total.
The second and third states were FCT and Edo with 19,273 and 17,792 complaints respectively. Collectively, the National Human Rights Commission received 107,895 complaints from the top 5 states accounting for half of the total at 50.8%.
Nigeria passed the Child’s Rights Act in 2003, a law that protects the rights of every child in the country. Thus far only 24 states have adopted this law.
The Child’s Right Act defines a child as a person under age 18. Regardless of the child’s sex, ethnicity, religion, langauge or other status, every child has a right to enjoy the rights and freedom defined in the Act.
It is the responsibility of the State to ensure that children are protected by laws that prioritize the welfare of children, and that these laws are executed in a consistent manner in all states in the country.
Is the government living up to expectations with regards to protecting the rights of vulnerable children?