The Child Protection Bill, which is the state version of The Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003, is a comprehensive legal instrument for the protection of the rights of a child.

Child's Rights Act (2003) guarantees the rights of all children in Nigeria. The law defined a child as any person under the age of 18.

ABUJA 18 AUGUST 2022: Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria commends Zamfara State House of Assembly for passing the Child Protection Bill on 16^th August 2022, almost 18 years after the Child Rights Act (2003) was first presented to the House to be domesticated.

Madina Abdulkadir, Girl Champion, Save the Children International Nigeria said, “I am so happy for children in Zamfara. This is a great news because the passage of the law is a realisation that all children have the right to better life and opportunities to grow up safely. I am calling on the states that have signed the law to speed up the full implementation throughout the Federation. I hope the remaining states will be inspired and take similar action to adopt the child rights act immediately.”

Maryam Ahmed, Youth Ambassador, Save the Children International Nigeria, said, “the adoption of the Child Protection Bill in Zamfara State is a key first step to stop the war on children. I commend the State House of Assembly for being champions on protecting the rights and welfare of children. I hope the Bill will be properly socialized, funded and implemented in the State to help in providing a favourable environment in which children can realize and release their full potentials.”

Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media, Save the Children International Nigeria said, “we celebrate the decision made by the Zamfara State House of Assembly in passing the Child Protection Bill that ensures the rights of Zamfara State children are protected, respected and fulfilled. The Bill has come to pass at a very critical time when sexual abuse, molestation, rape, early child and forced marriage, child labour, kidnaping and trafficking are robbing the childhood of many girls and boys. However, the full implementation of the Child Protection Bill will be instrumental in ending such violations and abuse of the rights of every child in Zamfara state. Therefore, SCI calls the state government for an immediate rollout, implementation and ownership of the bill.”

It is to be recalled that SCI Nigeria in collaboration with its partner organizations has been advocating and campaigning towards the domestication of CRA 2003 in Zamfara State. SCI recognizes and appreciates the contribution that partner organizations, CSOs, child champions, children parliament, community, religious and traditional leaders had made towards the adoption of the bill.

Save the Children International will continue its collaboration and partnership with State government to advance child rights per the provisions of the newly adopted Child Protection Bill.

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NOTES TO EDITOR

Save the Children is a leading child rights organization headquartered in the UK with offices in over 120 countries around the world. Since our founding 100+2 years ago, we have changed the lives of more than one billion children. In Nigeria and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We believe that every child deserves a future, and we work every day including times of crisis to ensure the future of every child is secure. We work with partners to help governments identify and scale up innovations to ensure that children survive, learn, and are protected.

For further information and interview requests, please contact:

Kunle Olawoyin, Media and Communications Manager, Save the Children International Nigeria, Kunle.Olawoyin@savethechildren.org Telephone: +234 802 368 4903