The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over the low access to justice for child victims of sexual abuse in Nigeria.
Tushar Rane, Chief of UNICEF’s Borno Field Office, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Wednesday. The meeting aimed to promote access to justice for children in contact with the law.
Rane noted that over 50 percent of Nigeria’s population is under 18, yet children face significant threats and vulnerabilities that undermine their future.
According to him, less than five percent of children who suffer sexual violence access justice, while over 70 percent of children in detention lack access to diversion and non-custodial services.
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Borno State’s Child Protection Law provides a comprehensive legal framework, but implementation remains a challenge.
He called for urgent action to protect the rights and well-being of children in Borno State, stating that an efficient juvenile justice system would guarantee age-appropriate services for children in conflict with the law.
UNICEF has pledged to support the state government in implementing the ‘Reimagine Justice for Children’ agenda. A draft government/UNICEF work plan on justice for children was also reviewed and validated during the meeting.
Also speaking, Borno Commissioner of Justice Hauwa Mohammed promised to strengthen the justice system to better protect children’s rights in the state. She stated that the existing Child Protection Law is not sufficient and that more efforts are required to ensure easy access to justice for children.
Mohammed called for collaboration with stakeholders, including UNICEF and other relevant parties, to address the root causes of the Almajiri system and other issues threatening violence against children. She emphasized that this would create a safer and more just environment for children in the state.
The meeting discussed issues such as accelerating legal representation, child-friendly procedures, functional family courts, effective referrals, logistics support, and social services for child survivors to access justice.
In attendance were Chief Justice of Borno State Justice Kashim Zannah; Commissioner of Women Affairs Zuwaira Gambo; and Borno Police Commissioner CP Yusufu Lawan, among others.
They pledged to ensure the immediate application of juvenile law to safeguard the future generation and reduce the risk of children being associated with crime and conflict.