Child Protection Bill: NGO lauds Zamfara Assembly
By Matthew Atungwu
A Non-Governmental Organization, Save the Children International, Nigeria, has applauded the Zamfara State House of Assembly for passing the Child Protection Bill into law.
The Child Protection Bill, which is the state version of The Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003, is a comprehensive legal instrument for the protection of the rights of a child.
Child’s Rights Act (2003), which defines a child as any person under the age of 18 guarantees the rights of all children in Nigeria.
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Madina Abdulkadir, Girl Champion, Save the Children International Nigeria said, “I am so happy for children in Zamfara. This is great news because the passage of the law is a realization that all children have the right to a better life and opportunities to grow up safely. I am calling on the states that have signed the law to speed up the full implementation throughout the Federation. I hope the remaining states will be inspired and take similar action to adopt the child rights act immediately.”
On her part, Maryam Ahmed, Youth Ambassador, Save the Children International Nigeria, said the adoption of the Child Protection Bill in Zamfara State was a key first step to stop the war on children, commending the State House of Assembly for being champions of protecting the rights and welfare of children.
She expressed optimism that the Bill will be properly socialized, funded, and implemented in the State to help in providing a favorable environment in which children can realize and release their full potentials.”
Meanwhile, Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication, and Media, Save the Children International Nigeria said they celebrate the decision made by the Zamfara State House of Assembly in passing the Child Protection Bill that ensures that the rights of Zamfara State children were protected, respected and fulfilled.
According to Mamo, the Bill had come to pass at a very critical time when sexual abuse, molestation, rape, early child and forced marriage, child labor, kidnapping, and trafficking were robbing the childhood of many girls and boys.
Mamo added that the full implementation of the Child Protection Bill will be instrumental in ending such violations and abuse of the rights of every child in Zamfara state, calling on the state government for an immediate rollout, implementation, and ownership of the bill.”
