UNICEF advocates urgent reforms to protect children from abuse, neglect
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
The United Nations Children’s Fund has called for immediate policy and societal reforms to strengthen child protection systems in Nigeria, warning that abuse, neglect, and poor care practices continue to endanger the lives and future of millions of children.
The call was made by Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Bauchi Field Office, during a stakeholders’ roundtable on child rights advocacy for Adamawa, Bauchi, and Gombe states on Tuesday in Gombe.
Ms Rafique said safeguarding children must go beyond rhetoric, urging governments, communities, and families to take deliberate steps to guarantee children’s safety and well-being from birth.
She explained that a child’s rights begin with birth registration, describing it as a critical foundation for identity and access to essential services such as healthcare and education. Without it, she noted, many children remain excluded from systems meant to protect them.
She added that survival and health are equally vital, pointing out that preventable maternal and newborn deaths remain a persistent challenge. According to her, access to quality healthcare and routine immunisation must be prioritised to reduce avoidable child mortality.
“Children have a right to live and grow without being exposed to preventable diseases,” she said.
On nutrition, Ms Rafique highlighted the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, noting that it provides the nutrients and immunity required for healthy development. However, she expressed concern over the high rate of malnutrition in parts of the Northeast, linking it to poor feeding practices and limited awareness among caregivers.
Despite Nigeria’s agricultural potential, she said many families struggle to provide balanced diets for children due to gaps in knowledge on proper nutrition.
Ms Rafique also raised serious concerns about increasing cases of child abuse, describing them as grave violations that demand urgent attention.
She noted that many victims are too young to speak or defend themselves, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation and harm.
“When a child is not protected, it affects their entire life. The impact goes far beyond the moment of abuse,” she said.
She stressed the need for accessible support services, including medical care and psychosocial assistance, for affected children to help them recover and reintegrate.
The UNICEF official attributed many of the challenges to low levels of awareness among parents and communities, noting that negligence and poor supervision often expose children to danger.
She cautioned against practices such as leaving children unattended or sending them out alone at unsafe hours, emphasising that such actions increase the risk of harm.
Ms Rafique further identified education as a long-term solution to the crisis, stating that informed and educated individuals are better equipped to protect children and uphold their rights.
“Education empowers children and prepares them to become responsible adults who can build safer communities,” she said.
She urged stakeholders at all levels to strengthen legal frameworks, improve service delivery, and invest in awareness campaigns to ensure that every child is protected from abuse and neglect.
The roundtable forms part of UNICEF’s broader advocacy efforts aimed at promoting child welfare and ensuring that the rights of every child are respected and protected.
