UNICEF applauds move to domesticate legislation

Borno House of Assembly has convened a public hearing on the domestication of the Child Rights Act (CRA) for the state.

Over 40 organisations and associations are expected to participate with oral and written submission to the House committee.

Flagging off the hearing, yesterday, in Maiduguri, the Deputy Speaker, Abdullahi Askira, decried increasing reports of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation against children below the age of 18.

Also, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) applauded the commitment to the passage of the legislation.

UNICEF’s Chief in Maiduguri Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, at the hearing, said, “domestication of the CRA is an important milestone”, adding that much more work lies ahead towards implementing the legislation.

She said: “UNICEF and all other development partners are committed to ensuring that enablers are available for this Act to be passed into law.”

She assured that UNICEF would help the state government develop an inter-ministerial CRA plan of action to make the law a living document. According to her, the document will allow people to be aware of their rights while holding all duty bearers accountable in making the state a better place for children.

She lamented that since the enactment of the Act by Nigeria in 2003, only 27 out of 36 states have implemented it.