In this article, we’ll cover:
- Why ASOHON is concerned about the Child Rights Act
- The importance of foster care for children’s well-being
- Challenges hindering foster care development in Nigeria
- What’s being done to address these issues
Child Rights Act: A Promise Unfulfilled?
The Child Rights Act of 2003 was supposed to be a game-changer, offering crucial protections to children, especially those in alternative care. However, Rev. Gabriel Oyediji, the National President of ASOHON, says many states haven’t fully implemented the Act. This means that the legal safeguards meant to protect children in orphanages and other care facilities aren’t always in place.
Why Foster Care Matters
While orphanages provide a roof over their heads, experts agree that family environments are far better for a child’s development. As Rev. Oyediji points out, kids thrive when they receive love, a sense of belonging, and emotional support. Foster care offers this stable, nurturing home environment, protecting children’s rights and dignity.
Nigeria’s Foster Care Crisis: What’s Holding It Back?
Despite its benefits, foster care in Nigeria remains underdeveloped. Why? Several factors are at play:
- Inadequate Policies: The legal framework supporting foster care needs strengthening.
- Lack of Awareness: Many Nigerians are unaware of the foster care system and its benefits.
- Insufficient Funding: Financial support for foster families is limited.
- Limited Support: Foster parents need more training and resources to care for vulnerable children effectively.
What’s Being Done? A Ray of Hope
Thankfully, organizations like ASOHON and SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria are working to improve the situation. They’re advocating for stronger policies, raising awareness about foster care, and providing training and support to foster parents.
Key initiatives include:
- Seminars for coordinators and stakeholders to discuss alternative care strategies.
- Collaboration between ASOHON and SOS Children’s Villages to promote family-based care.
- Efforts to monitor orphanage activities and combat child trafficking.
The Fight Against Child Trafficking
Mrs. Sandra Chikan, Vice President of ASOHON’s Northern Region, highlights a disturbing issue: the use of orphanages for illicit activities, including child trafficking. ASOHON is working with the government to address this problem and tackle the root causes of child trafficking, especially in conflict areas.
The Road Ahead: A Call to Action
Strengthening foster care in Nigeria requires a collective effort. The government needs to provide financial incentives to foster families, improve training for social workers, and enforce the Child Rights Act nationwide. Ultimately, prioritizing family-based care is essential to ensuring the well-being and future of Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.
The seminar, with the theme: ‘From Vulnerability to Stability: Time to Strengthen Foster Care in Nigeria’ aimed to discuss alternative care for vulnerable children and provide strategies to strengthen foster care in Nigeria.
What’s Next?
Lets see what the future holds, and what the government will do to protect the children.