The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

Speaking on why family courts was established, the Minister said it was a result of the effective advocacy and sensitisation for effective implementation of the Child Rights Law across the country.

According to her, the theme for the year is ‘Strengthening Supportive Systems for the Protection of the Nigerian Child; A Wake-Up Call.’

She noted that despite efforts by the government and other stakeholders, children were still vulnerable and victims of abduction, ritual killings, rape, child marriage, domestic abuse, and others.

She added, “As a ministry, we are sometimes overwhelmed with these issues and it will seem as if we are not doing enough.

“More worrisome is the recent increase of violence in schools, where children are physically and sexually abused online and offline.

“In the meantime, the ministry, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has developed policies and carried out a series of programmes to ensure the safety of children.

“The establishment of family courts in 16 states of the federation is a direct result of the effective and sustained advocacy.”

Tallen also noted that to ensure the safety and protection of children, she also reconstituted the technical working group on ending violence against children and the management in Nigeria.

UNICEF stressed that violence is carried out against one in four Nigerian children and the longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense its impact.

However, UNICEF said children are resilient, talented, and aspire to do great things, stressing that it is the responsibility of the government to give them the platform and encouragement to grow.

UNICEF’s Country Director, Peter Hawkins disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The statement said, “It has been a challenging year for us all with the COVID-19 pandemic – not least of all, Nigeria’s children – and I want to commend efforts at all levels of Nigerian government and society to protect education, health, and protection services in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.

“As we rightfully celebrate Nigerian children today, let us also remember that the COVID-19 crisis has been a child rights crisis – in Nigeria and around the world.

“Poverty is rising, inequality is growing, and the pandemic has often disrupted the essential services that secure the health, education and protection of children and young people.

“The longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense the impact on women and children.

“On this Nigerian Children’s Day, let us all agree that we cannot let one crisis compound another.

“The pandemic is threatening decades of progress we have made for children.

“Violence is perpetrated against one in four Nigerian children – and one in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused. This has only increased during the pandemic.

“Today of all days, we must commit to reinforce the protection mechanisms for all children.

“But we have learned from this pandemic too. One thing we have learned is that education takes place not only in schools – children can and should learn both in and out of school.

“A learning continuum is critical so that all children continue to get an education irrespective of their situation, location, or the pandemic.

“Nigerian children are resilient, talented and aspire to do great things. And it is our responsibility to give them the platform and encouragement to do just that.

“We know that protecting children and investing in women and families is not only the right thing to do – it has proven to be a sound economic choice and a cost-effective tool for national development.

“As we celebrate our children today, we must act in their best interests and deploy innovative solutions to fast-track learning and health services to build back better, for every Nigerian child.”

The campaign tagged, “For every child, every right’’, is to draw attention to children’s right.

UNICEF’s new Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr Peter Hawkins, made this known on Monday in a statement to commemorate the Children’s Day, observed annually on May 27.

Hawkins said that while there have been many innovations over the last few years, children in Nigeria were still not accessing health, nutrition, education and other amenities as they ought to.

“Sadly, it is the most disadvantaged children who are suffering the greatest challenge in having their rights fulfilled.”

This year’s Children’s Day falls during the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is being commemorated this year around the world.

As part of the celebrations, UNICEF is launching a “Passport to Your Rights”, a copy of the CRC in child-friendly language, in pocket format.

UNICEF aims that every child in Nigeria has a copy by 2030, the deadline for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNICEF revealed that the CRC ‘passport’ will also be available in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin languages.

“Thirty years ago, something incredible happened. World leaders came together in a moment of unity for the world’s children.

“They made a promise to every child to protect and fulfil their rights, by adopting the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“The Convention established childhood as a period that is separate from adulthood – a time in which children should grow, learn, play, develop and flourish.

“We want to see every Nigerian child have that kind of childhood,” said Hawkins.

(NAN)