by FIDAWorld Day Against Child Labor
FIDA Nigeria lends her voice to mark the World Day Against Child Labor, it’s sad to note that child labor is still on the rise, Africa ranks highest among regions both in the percentage of children in child labor — one-fifth — and the absolute number of children in child labor — 72 million.
Estimates determine that the current number of child workers in Nigeria is 15 million according to the International Labor Organization (ILO). At a staggering 43% of the total population of minors, it is the highest recorded rate of child labor in Western Africa.
Although there are labor laws in place, Nigeria does not actively enforce safety regulations or preventative measures in the workplace. This type of neglect leads to an extremely dangerous environment that often results in bodily harm, severe trauma and even death. Children who work on the streets often make easy targets for violence and kidnapping. If a child suffers harm on the job, help or compensation does not extend to the family, leaving them to face the repercussions alone.
Children who are especially vulnerable, such as orphans, are more at risk for human trafficking and forced labor than adults, with their rate being estimated at 58%. Enticed by fictitious stories of better jobs located in more economically rich areas, they agree to leave their homes in hopes of making money. However, the traffickers never deliver the promise and the victims find themselves in even worse situations and unable to go home.
This year’s World Day Against Child Labor focuses on action taken for the 2021 International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor. It is the first World Day since the universal ratification of the ILO’s Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor and takes place at a time when the COVID-19 crisis threatens to reverse years of progress in tackling the problem.
The International Year was adopted in the 2019 UN General Assembly. The main aim of the year is to urge governments to do what is necessary to achieve SDG Target 8.7. which is to “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms”
Some factors influencing child labor in Nigeria despite signing the UN convention on the rights of the child 1999, the African Charter on the Rights Welfare of the Child 2001, and the Child Right Act 2003, the rights of most Nigeria children are not respected due to poverty, illiteracy, Ignorance, polygamy and high demand for cheap and submissive labor which has several and severe effects on the child leading to deprivation of education, low intellectual development, health amongst others.
There is no gainsaying that children are the building blocks of the nation and hence, the future of the nation depends on how well they are protected and brought up, therefore, we call on the government, CSOs, NGOs to raise more social awareness to mitigate and combat the menace of child labor in Nigeria.
FIDA serves to bring to an end to the violation, abuses, exploitation and violation of children which has become rampant in our society.
FIDA Nigeria stands against child labor and calls on all to do same
#NoToChildLabour
For FIDA Nigeria:
Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President
FIDA Nigeria
Eliana Martins
National publicity secretary
FIDA Nigeria.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day
FIDA Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State Branch celebrated the World Menstrual Hygiene Day with students of Adiahaobong Secondary School, Uyo and Girl’s High School Ikot Obiok, Eket. This year’s theme is: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health.”
Last year FIDA Akwa Ibom went to a secondary school at Itu and most of the girls hadn’t used a pad in their life! Do you know what they use? Pieces of cloth which they wash after use and re-use. Ha! If you know what that means! Infections, which they may think it’s nothing until it damages one or two organs in their bodies.
Pads should be given free, every month in every secondary school. Our girls need it. I see people giving condoms for free but not pads. Hmmm. Sex is a choice o; menstruation is not.
Let’s do more for our children. Talk to FIDA if you want to help them through us.
Take action! Invest in their future
by FIDADay 3 NEC Meeting
On Day 3 of the National Executive Meeting (May 27th), the NEC started off with a business meeting. This was followed by the commissioning of FIDA Anambra Family Law Centre. The day ended with a formal dinner at Vertex View Hotel & Suites
by FIDADay 2: NEC Meeting
Day 2 of the FIDA NEC Meeting which held in Anambra State on the 27th of May 2021, started with an intriguing and educative Leadership training session on “Organizational Effectiveness” presented by the National Secretary, FIDA Nigeria – Mrs. Evelyn Asimiea.
Furthermore, in commemoration of the 2021 Children’s Day Celebration, members thereafter visited the Faith Community Children’s Home to add some cheer and excitement in celebrating the children there.
The major highlight of the evening was the beautiful cultural display and presentations by the different Fida branches; it truly proved very colorful and entertaining
by FIDAFIDA Abuja Visit’s Orphanage home in Karu, FCT
In celebration of Nigerian Children on this day which is an annual event on May 27th and in continuation of the Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers- FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch, as part of FIDA’s mandate to children, paid a visit to the Orphanage home in Karu, FCT. The home at the material time has 67 children with the youngest being a 2 months old baby.
FIDA Abuja celebrated the children’s day with them by donating gifts which included several boxes of clothes, shoes, foodstuffs, toiletries, diapers, etc all donated by members of the Branch. Also, enlightened them about their rights as enshrined in the Child Rights Act.
by FIDADAY 1: FIDA Nigeria NEC Meeting
FIDA Nigeria, at the first quarter meeting of the National Executive Committee, in Anambra State on the 26th of May, 2021; held a review and appraisal session of its 5-year strategic plan. The session was chaired by the National Secretary, FIDA Nigeria- Mrs. Evelyn Asimiea. Representatives of states’ branches were present at the session. Thereafter, it was followed by a cocktail party.
by FIDAFIDA Abuja Visit to Suleija Correctional Centre
FIDA (Nigeria) Abuja Branch commenced her 2021 Law Week on the 20th of May with a visit to the Suleja Correctional Centre where a free legal Clinic for 31 female inmates comprising of 3 nursing mothers (with 3 toddlers) and 1 pregnant woman was conducted. Welfare packages comprising of toiletries, beverages, diapers, clothing items, foodstuffs, etc. were also distributed.
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria held a capacity-building workshop at Obadore community, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State
FIDA Nigeria, Lagos State branch, with the support of Ford Foundation, held a capacity building workshop themed, “Elimination of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through effective implementation of the VAPP ACT 2015 and the Protection Against Domestic Violence law of the State 2007” at Obadore community, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State on the 5th of May, 2021.
Highlights of the workshop were discussions on sexual violence, discriminatory traditional or cultural practices in the community and provisions in the VAPP Act and Lagos State Domestic Violence Law that outlines punitive measures for perpetrators
by FIDAFIDA Conducts a 2-day Training Workshop on Elimination of GBV in Plateau State
On the 3rd and 4th of May 2021, FIDA Plateau, with the support of Ford Foundation, successfully implemented a 2-day Stakeholders workshop themed, “Elimination of Sexual and Gender-based Violence through Effective Implementation of the VAPP Act 2015 and other related Laws Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls in Plateau State”, Bukuru Gyel Community, Jos South L.G.A of Plateau State.
Outcomes of the workshop using stakeholders feedback methods include:
*An increased awareness of women’s rights.
*An improved awareness of GBV issues in relation to cultural, religious, and social practices within the community.
*A realization by stakeholders who doubles as the community’s gatekeepers on the need to promote attitudinal change within the community.
The Workshop spurred the need to generate strategies to mitigate acts of GBV within the community. A Gyel Community GBV Advocate Team was formed as a reinforcement to the Surveillance Team that was established earlier on the project.
In addition, the team developed an action plan to serve as a guide towards the actualization of ending the menace of GBV and the improvement of women’s rights within the community.
