By Jamilu Abubakar
Stakeholders from Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe States have called for urgent and coordinated action to address rising cases of child rights violations and low survival rates among children in parts of Northeast Nigeria.
The call was made during a roundtable advocacy meeting held in Gombe, which brought together about 70 participants, including journalists, social welfare workers, security agencies, legal practitioners, and traditional rulers.
The meeting focused on strengthening efforts to protect and promote the rights of children, despite the existence of legal frameworks such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and the Child Rights Act.
The Bauchi Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund expressed concern over the growing incidence of abuse and neglect affecting children in the region.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, stressed the need to prioritise child protection and survival from birth, noting that birth registration remains a fundamental right of every child.
She also highlighted the importance of immunisation, proper nutrition, healthcare, and education, adding that exclusive breastfeeding within the first six months is critical to a child’s healthy development.
Dr. Rafique described sexual violence against children as alarming, revealing that even infants have been subjected to abuse, and called for collective efforts to address the trend.
She further identified malnutrition as a leading cause of child mortality in the country, urging communities to adopt better child care and feeding practices.
Also speaking, Child Protection Specialist, Ladi Alabi, presented data on the prevalence, trends, and drivers of sexual violence against children in the three states, outlining its lasting physical, psychological, and social impact on victims.
Participants noted that many cases remain unreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of awareness of available support services.
The meeting concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society, the media, and community leaders to improve response mechanisms, strengthen referral systems, and intensify advocacy to end all forms of violence against children.
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