By Lilian U. Okoro

The Centre for Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP) has called for the protection of child domestic workers,  from widespread maltreatment and exploitation across Nigeria.

The advocacy centre spearheading the “Protect Child Domestic Workers (PCDW) from Maltreatment” programme, noted that thousands of children, some as young as 10 years, were enduring hazardous conditions.

These conditions according to the centre, ranges from abuse to  the denial of fundamental rights, despite existing legal safeguards.

The Grant/Programme Manager of CAPRIGHTS-VP, Ngozi Arinze, made the call during a school sensitisation outreach at the Muslim Junior College, Egbe, Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach has the theme: “Protecting Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment”.

Arinze, also a lawyer, educated the students on their five basic rights as children, listing  them as the right to education, health, safety, family life and recreation/play.

She said that while some child domestic workers enjoyed good treatments from their guardians/employers, some were deprived of these rights .

“The deprived ones often endure harsh living and working conditions, with limited access to education and healthcare,” she said.

Arinze reminded the students that the ‘Child Rights Law’ stated that at all times, the best interest of the child should be the primary consideration.

She called for collective efforts to protect children serving as house helps, commonly referred to as “Omo-Odo”.

The Project Coordinator of CAPRIGHTS-VP, Mercy Joshua, anchored the interactive session, where she addressed the students and teachers in Yoruba.

The session was in line with the school’s observance of Yoruba-Speaking Day every Wednesday, as practised in the state’s  public schools.

Joshua said, “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,”.

During the interactive session, some students, however, stated  that some 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, moving forward.

Joshua  encouraged both students and teachers to report cases of child abuse or maltreatment, particularly those involving CDWs, to CAPRIGHTS-VP.

She assured them that all reported cases would be handled confidentially and appropriately referred through CAPRIGHTS-VP’s partnerships with government ministries, health institutions and other NGOs.

Also, the organisation’s Communications Officer, Ugwueze Chinecherem, demonstrated how to call the toll-free helplines (0800 800 8001 or 0800 004 4444) emphasising that the call was free.

She stressed that the  provision was made to eliminate any excuses and ensured that every child could report abuse or rights violations, without financial barriers.

An official of the school who pleaded anonymity,  expressed deep appreciation to CAPRIGHTS-VP for their consistent commitment and sacrifices in championing the rights of vulnerable children.

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

No fewer than 800 students and 20 teachers were in attendance at the school assembly for the outreach. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu/Vivian Ihechu