By Kemi Akintokun

 

 

 

The Centre for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) is advocating for stronger protection of child domestic workers (CDWs) from maltreatment.

 

CAPRIGHTS-VP made the call during a school sensitisation outreach held at Idimu Junior College, Lagos State, with the theme: “Protecting Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment”.

 

Leading the engagement, Mrs Coker Olufunmilola, the Advocacy Manager for CAPRIGHTS-VP, educated students using Yoruba language.

 

This was in line with the school’s observance of Yoruba-Speaking Day, observed every Wednesday in Lagos State public schools.

 

She taught the students about their five basic rights as children, of which are the right to education, health, safety, family life, and recreation/play.

 

She emphasised that while some child domestic workers received fair treatment from their guardians or employers, many others were deprived of these rights and endured harsh living and working conditions, with limited access to education and healthcare.

 

Coker reminded the students that the Child Rights Law stated that “at all times, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration”.

 

She called for collective efforts to protect children serving as house helps (commonly referred to as Omo-Odo).

 

“Every child has the right to education, just like each of you here today.

 

“No child should be deprived of this right, as education is the foundation of a brighter future.

 

“Education helps shape children into responsible adults and plays a major role in reducing the number of dysfunctional families in our society,” she said.

 

As part of the outreach, Programme Coordinator of CAPRIGHTS-VP, Mrs Mercy Joshua,and the Security Protection Officer, Mrs Agatha Chinedu engaged the entire student body in three smaller groups for focused, interactive conversation

 

CAPRIGHTS-VP sensitisation outreach at the Idimu Junior College in Egbeda, Lagos State, with the theme “Protecting Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment”.

 

During these sessions, some students acknowledged that CDWs were indeed present in their school.

 

They committed to reporting any observed cases of abuse whether among fellow students, within the community, or at home.

 

During the session, a male student, asked, “What about CDWs who are not being maltreated what should we do then?”.

 

The team responded by affirming that CAPRIGHTS-VP and the government were pleased when CDWs were treated with dignity, as that is the right way to treat them.

 

They urged the students to still report if they witness the mistreatment of any CDWs.

 

Students and teachers were encouraged to report any case of child abuse or maltreatment, particularly those involving CDWs, to CAPRIGHTS-VP.

 

The organisation assured that all reports would be handled confidentially and appropriately referred through CAPRIGHTS-VP’s partnerships with government ministries, health institutions, and other NGOs.

 

The CAPRIGHTS-VP team also demonstrated how to call the toll-free helplines 0800 800 8001 or 0800 004 4444 emphasising that these calls were completely free and were set up to remove all financial barriers to reporting.

 

The Principal of the school, Mr Olajide Idowu, expressed deep appreciation to CAPRIGHTS-VP for their consistent commitment and sacrifices in championing the rights of vulnerable children.

 

He encouraged both teachers and students to make use of the toll-free lines to report any case of abuse or rights violations.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that no fewer than 900 students and 20 teachers attended the sensitisation outreach. (NAN)

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu