Young Leaders Network Hosts Roundtable on SRHR and Bauchi Child Protection Law in Dass LGA

By Fatima Jamil Ahmad

On October 29, the Young Leaders Network, serving as the implementing partner of the ASPIRE project funded by Canada through Plan International, organized an advocacy roundtable in Dass Local Government Area (LGA) of Bauchi State. The event focused on raising awareness about sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and discussing the Bauchi State Child Protection Law 2023, recently enacted to safeguard the rights and welfare of children in the state.

Barrister Amina Garuba, a senior magistrate and district court judge, delivered an insightful overview of SRHR in the context of the new Child Protection Law. She explained that Bauchi State operates under four primary legal frameworks designed for child protection: the Nigerian Constitution, the Penal Code, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, and the Child Protection Law. Addressing misconceptions, Barrister Garuba clarified that the Child Protection Law does not place children’s rights above those of their parents but rather aims to balance the rights and responsibilities of both.

In particular, Barrister Garuba highlighted several prohibitions under the Child Protection Law concerning SRHR. Statutory rape, defined as engaging in sexual relations with any child under the age of 18, is classified as a serious offense, punishable by life imprisonment. Additionally, the law forbids exploitative labor, specifically child trafficking for forced labor. It also criminalizes the distribution of explicit or immoral content involving children and outlaws forced marriage, which is categorized as a harmful traditional practice. Female genital mutilation, governed under the VAPP Law, is similarly prohibited.

The magistrate underscored children’s fundamental rights, including the right to life, health, dignity, body autonomy, freedom from discrimination, and access to basic education, with a special emphasis on the importance of education for girls. Addressing concerns about bystander offenses—situations where individuals witness but fail to report a crime—Barrister Garuba assured attendees that the Witness Protection Law protects those who come forward to report such offenses. She urged community leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to create policies or by-laws that promote child welfare. One recommendation included establishing a “Child Protection Implementation Committee” to ensure the consistent application of the law.

The roundtable also heard from Mr. Muhammed Shuaibu, principal of GGDSS Gyamas, who praised the Young Leaders Network for increasing awareness of the Child Protection Law. Shuaibu acknowledged his prior lack of familiarity with the law’s provisions and suggested that it be simplified for broader distribution, particularly in schools. Barrister Garuba supported this idea, recommending that a simplified version of the law, possibly illustrated with visuals, would make it more accessible to children. She promised to advocate for this initiative within the judiciary, while the Young Leaders Network pledged its support.

The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring key stakeholders, including a traditional leader, the gender desk officer, a police representative, and the education secretary. Each panelist expressed a commitment to supporting the implementation of the Child Protection Law in Dass LGA. Although they recognized the challenges ahead, the panelists voiced a united resolve to foster a safe and nurturing environment for children in the area. Their pledges underscored the importance of collaboration among traditional, governmental, and civil society leaders in effectively implementing the Child Protection Law and ensuring its success across Dass LGA.