Strengthening Collaboration to Combat Child Labour and Abuse
The Uromi Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas Initiative (JDPCI) has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among various stakeholders to eliminate child labour, abuse, trafficking, and exploitation while promoting the rights and welfare of children in communities. This call was made during the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour and Abuse, organized by the Uromi JDPCI under its Human Rights Education and Paralegal Scheme in Edo Central Senatorial District with the support of MISEREOR Germany.
A Call to Action
The Executive Director of Uromi JDPCI, Very Rev. Fr. Dr Fidelis Arhedo, highlighted the importance of the global observance in drawing attention to the plight of millions of children whose rights, education, health, and future are threatened by child labour, abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking. He explained that the theme of the celebration, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” conveys a strong message that society must reject every form of child labour and abuse.
“In sports, a red card signifies conduct that is unacceptable and must stop immediately. In the same way, we are called today to reject every form of child labour and abuse that deprives children of their childhood, education, dignity, and opportunity to achieve their God-given potential,” he said.
Creating a Safe Environment for Children
Fr. Arhedo stressed that fair play for children means creating an environment where every child is free to learn, play, grow, and flourish. It means ensuring that children carry books rather than burdens, sit in classrooms rather than hazardous workplaces, and pursue dreams rather than struggle under the weight of exploitation and poverty.
He further noted that the fight against child labour must go beyond rescuing children from exploitative situations. The second part of the theme, “Decent Work for Adults,” reminds us that child labour is often rooted in poverty, unemployment, inequality, and lack of social protection. When parents and caregivers are unable to secure decent livelihoods, children frequently become victims of economic hardship.
“Therefore, addressing child labour requires not only rescuing children from exploitative situations but also empowering families through sustainable livelihoods, fair wages, and economic opportunities,” he stated.
Shared Responsibility in Protecting Children
Fr. Arhedo emphasized that protecting children is a shared responsibility involving parents, teachers, government agencies, law enforcement institutions, faith-based organizations, traditional rulers, civil society groups, communities, and the media. He urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and take practical steps by identifying children at risk, supporting vulnerable households, enforcing child protection laws, and promoting school retention.
“As we gather here, let us raise a collective red card against every form of child labour, child abuse, child trafficking, exploitation, neglect, and violence. Let us commit ourselves to building communities where children are safe, educated, respected, and empowered to become responsible citizens and future leaders,” he concluded.
Child Rights and Protection
Delivering the keynote address titled “Child Rights and Abuse,” the Child Safeguarding/Gender Based Violence Officer of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Mrs. Isoken Osemwengie, described a child as any person below the age of 18 years and stressed that society must protect children and uphold their rights. She noted that children are entitled to rights guaranteed under the Child Rights Act 2003 and should not be denied those rights.
“A child has the right to live. You don’t say because you are an adult that you have the right to truncate or take the life of a child. The child cannot fight back. It is you and me that will protect the rights of these children,” she said.
She also warned against neglect and abandonment of children by parents and caregivers. “Parents can just abandon children at home to come wherever they like. They don’t care what these children will eat. They don’t even care when they are sick. It is against the Child Rights Act,” she stated.
Community Involvement in Child Protection
The SUBEB official underscored the importance of community involvement in child protection, describing communities as critical stakeholders in safeguarding children. “If you want to do a holistic child protection structure, the community is one major stakeholder that you should hold very strongly. If you get the community right, these children will always be safe,” she said.
She expressed concern over reported cases of children being abused on their way to and from school and called on community leaders to promote behavioural change and ensure children’s safety.
Commitment to Children’s Welfare
Also speaking, the representative of the Onojie of Uromi, Chief Richard Osemeilu, commended the organizers for focusing on children’s welfare and education. He lamented the growing number of children roaming the streets and dismissed the notion that education is a scam.
“Education is not a scam. Because in whatever you do, if you are not educated, you are uneducated, and that will make you do whatever you are supposed to do in the wrong way,” he said.
Similarly, the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Odesanmi, condemned child labour, assuring that the church would continue to sensitize congregations on the dangers of the practice.
“Child labour is an evil, and the church will not condone it. We will continue to tell the congregations about this evil and extend the message that child labour should be given a red card in our families and everywhere,” he said.
Educational Initiatives and Recognition
A major highlight of the event was a quiz competition on child rights and protection issues involving students from secondary schools across Edo Central Senatorial District. The competition was won by the representative of Amede-Egoro Secondary School, who also delivered a brief presentation on the topic, “My Rights Against Abuse.”
At the end of the competition, the winner received a cash prize of N50,000, while the first and second runners-up received N30,000 and N20,000 respectively. The students were also presented with school bags and exercise books as part of efforts to encourage learning and deepen awareness of child rights.
Participants at the event pledged their renewed commitment to protecting children and supporting initiatives aimed at eliminating child labour and abuse in Edo Central and beyond.
