Peer-reviewed article
Advocating for prevention of violence against children in Nigeria
Umejiaku Nneka Obiamaka ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This paper examines violence against children in Nigeria, analyzing the factors that enable it and reviewing legal frameworks meant to protect children. The study finds that violence persists despite numerous laws due to poverty, lack of awareness, and weak enforcement. The authors recommend that governments use law as a tool for social change, collaborate with NGOs, improve data collection and monitoring, and eliminate harmful customary and religious practices that undermine children's rights.
Key points
- Violence against children is a global issue that affects children across all demographic groups and social standings
- Despite numerous national and international laws, violence against children persists in Nigeria
- Poverty and lack of awareness about preventing child violence are key factors that enable violence to continue
- The study recommends using law as a tool for social engineering to establish structures that protect children's rights
- Government collaboration with NGOs, effective monitoring systems, accurate data collection, and domestication of international treaties are needed
Limitations
This is a doctrinal and empirical analysis of legal frameworks rather than an evaluation of a specific intervention. It cannot tell us what specific prevention strategies are most effective or what outcomes have been achieved by particular programs in Nigeria.
Abstract
Child violence is a pattern of coercive controlling behaviour that negates the right of the child in every sphere. Children are targetedbecause they are very vulnerable and can hardly defend themselves. It is therefore necessary to prevent and eliminate violence foradequate protection of children. This work advocates for prevention of violence amongst children in every sphere. The study adopteddoctrinal and empirical mode of research. The work analysed factors that exacerbate violence amongst children and analysed some legal frameworks that provide for their protection. Hence, the work reveals that violence against children is a global menace that cuts across gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, social standing and immigration status. The work reveals that despite numerous legislations at the national and international levels, violence against children still persist due to many factors that impede their rights. The work finds that violence thrives on poverty and lack of awareness on the need to prevent child violence. Consequently, the work notes that violence against the child can be protected. Hence, the work recommends the use of law as a tool of social engineering in order to establish viable structures that will protect the rights of the child in every sphere. Accordingly, Government should collaborate with nongovernmental organisations for proper elimination of violence. Further, effective monitoring system and accurate data collection should be employed to prevent child violence. Also the Government should domesticate all the international treaties and conventions that safeguard the rights of children. Finally, all the obnoxious customary and religious laws that hamper these rights should be eradicated. Key Words: Advocacy, Violence, Prevention and Human Rights