Odinkalu pushes to end violence against children

At least 30% of all cases reaching the National Human Rights Commission deal with violation of children’s rights, chair of the commission’s governing board Chidi Odinkalu has revealed. This comes amidst concern about increasing violence against children, reported by a national survey by the National Population Commission on Thursday in Abuja. Odinkalu, who’s being chosen […]

At least 30% of all cases reaching the National Human Rights Commission deal with violation of children’s rights, chair of the commission’s governing board Chidi Odinkalu has revealed.
This comes amidst concern about increasing violence against children, reported by a national survey by the National Population Commission on Thursday in Abuja.
Odinkalu, who’s being chosen as goodwill ambassador in the Year of Action to End Violence Against Children, said the commission can only advocate for the rights of children.
The survey found children suffering violence of any form did not tell someone about it, and those who did were more likely to tell a friend rather than a service provider or authority figure.
Children have a low awareness of people or services from which they can seek help, the survey found.
And of the 6 out of 100 who sought help, only 5% of them received any help.
The survey questions the role of children’s home, social services and the Child Rights Act.
“For most part those don’t work, but we have to get them working so that children can start trusting us,” said Odinkalu.
“Many of us grew up not trusting the state and we are bringing up children who are also not trusting the state. There is a psychological barrier here to be broken. Only Nigerians can save Nigerian children.”
The Child Rights Act is domestic law in only 23 states across the country—except the northwest and the northeast, where only Jigawa has passed it.
“If we are looking for deliverables, the northwest and northeast are giving us challenge,” said Odinkalu.
NHRC, which turns 20 next month, uses liaisons with law enforcement, social services and the ministry of women affairs to advocate for children, but it is still limited.
With a staff 620 strong and 23 offices, its budget is inadequate, said Odinkalu.
Up until a few years ago, NHRC “settled” cases of child rape, he revealed.
“When I got to [NHRC] we were settling cases of rape of children. In the first four meetings I had, I sent back all the files brought to me for decision making.”