CHILD PROTECTION SHOULD BE EVERY ADULT’S JOB.

BY HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION OF NIGERIA.

Child protection means protecting children from a range of adversities which are considered to have detrimental effects upon their wellbeing.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process.

It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

All children have the right to protection. They have the right to survive, to be safe, to belong, to be heard, to receive adequate care and to grow up in a protective environment.

The alarming impacts of child protection failures are likely to grow in significance unless something is done urgently.

All children and young people have a right to be protected and it is our job as adults to ensure this is carried out.

We are responsible for protecting them and keeping them from harm.

It is our duty to protect them whilst they are at school, but also follow up any concerns we have with regards to things happening outside of school.

Children around us want more support to enable them to grow up free from violence, and within caring, and safe families.

All children should live a life free from all forms of violence, should be protected from conflicts and disasters, and thrive in a safe family environment.

Therefore, there is a need for us to listen to the voices of children, including vulnerable and commonly excluded groups such as those without adequate care and protection.