By Sani Idris
In a groundbreaking three-day engagement, experts from various fields came together to address the trauma and harm faced by women and children in protest environments.
The event, hosted by Enhancing Communities Action for Peace and Better Health Initiative (e-CAPH), shed light on the critical gaps and urgent needs for protecting and supporting these vulnerable groups.
In a communiqué issued to newsmen on Friday in Kaduna, it highlighted key findings, including the psychological impact of repeated exposure to violence and trauma, exploitation risks, lack of training and awareness, inadequate support services, and ignorance among parents and local communities.
The communique was signed by Yusha’u Muhammad Abubakar, the Executive Director (e-CAPH),
Prof. Hauwa Evelyn Yusuf, Gender Specialist, Kaduna State University,
Shehu Suleiman Maiyaki, the Zonal Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN) North West and Peter Ebeh, Child Protection Specialist in the Heat of Boko Haram Insurgency, Northeast and Northwest Nigeria.
Other signatories to the communique were Aisha Abdu, Chairperson FIDA Kaduna Branch, Barrister Funke Bamikole, FIDA Secretary Kaduna Branch,
Abdullahi Ladan, Representative of Disability Community, Jessica Mary Bartholomew, Chairperson Kaduna State Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KASPAC),
Zailani AJ Musa, General Duties, Kaduna State Vigilantes Service (KADVS),
Khadija Lawal Aliyu, Gender and Human Rights Coordinator, (e-CAPH) and
Hadiza Umar the Executive Director, Hope for Community Children Initiative (H4CC).
The communique, emanating from e-CAPH’s three-day webinar titled “The Unseen Victims: Addressing the Trauma and Harm Faced by Women and Children in the Protest Environment”, brought together experts, government officials, security, child protection specialist, and civil society leaders to address the significant challenges faced by women, children and disability community involved in protests.
The discussions revealed critical gaps and urgent needs for protecting and supporting the vulnerable groups.
The stakeholders key findings were; psychological impact: Repeated exposure to violence and trauma during protests can lead to long-term psychological harm for both women and children, exploitation risks: children being often used for personal or political gain, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Other key findings were lack of training and awareness: insufficient training for Child Protection Specialists (CPS) and law enforcement on handling protest situations involving children, inadequate support services: current support services are insufficient to address the needs of women and children affected by protests and ignorance among parents and local communities: The high illiteracy rate among parents and local communities hinders their understanding of the risks associated with involving children in protests.
The stakeholders therefore recommendd action points which includes:
1. Government Agencies Responsible for people with disabilities, Women and Child Protection:
Enhance Training Programs: Implement comprehensive training programs for child protection specialists, law enforcement, and social workers to better address the needs of children and women affected by protests.
Develop Support Services: Establish and fund safe spaces, counseling services, and medical assistance specifically for victims of protest-related violence.
Strengthen Legal Framework: Ensure strict enforcement of existing laws prohibiting the use of children in violent protests and implement robust punishment for violators.
Raise Awareness: Launch state-wide awareness campaigns about the risks of involving children in protests and the available support services.
Safe zones: Designate safe zones for people with disabilities during protests, away from potential harm.
2. Police: Improve Training: Provide specialized training for police officers on handling protests involving children and women, focusing on de-escalation techniques and protective measures.
Ensure Protection: Implement protocols to safeguard children, disability community and women during protests, including designated safe areas and immediate medical and psychological support.
Enhance Coordination: Work closely with child protection agencies and community organizations to ensure coordinated responses to protests involving vulnerable groups.
3. Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps:
Increase Surveillance: Monitor protests more closely to identify and prevent the exploitation of children and women.
Provide Support: Collaborate with health and social service agencies to provide immediate assistance to affected individuals during and after protests.
Promote Community Engagement: Foster relationships with community leaders to better understand local issues and provide targeted support.
4. Civil Society Leaders:
Advocate for Policy Change: Lobby for stronger policies and funding to protect women and children in protest situations and support their recovery.
Organize Training: Facilitate training sessions for community members, including parents and educators, on the risks of protests and how to protect children.
Promote Social Cohesion: Initiate and support community-based projects aimed at promoting social cohesion and addressing the root causes of violence.
5. National Orientation Agency (NOA):
Promote Awareness: Initiate and lead national campaigns to raise awareness about the risks associated with protests and the importance of protecting women and children.
Educational Programs: Develop educational programs to inform communities about the dangers of involving children in protests and promote positive engagement practices.
6. National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP):
Combat Exploitation: Strengthen efforts to prevent the exploitation of children and women in protest settings, ensuring effective monitoring and intervention
Support Victims: Provide specialized support services for victims of trafficking and exploitation related to protest activities.
7. The Media: Raise Awareness: Use media platforms to highlight the issues faced by women and children in protests and promote available support services.
Advocate for Change: Advocate for stronger protective measures and reforms through investigative reporting and public discourse.
8. Youth Groups:
Promote Responsible Engagement: Educate and encourage young people to engage in protests responsibly, understanding the potential risks and consequences.
Support Initiatives: Collaborate with organizations working to protect women and children, supporting initiatives that address these issues.
9. Religious and Traditional Institutions:
Provide Guidance: Offer guidance and support to communities on the ethical and moral aspects of protest participation, focusing on the protection of vulnerable individuals.
Community Support: Facilitate community-based initiatives that promote social cohesion and address the root causes of protest-related violence.
10. Legal Practitioners:
Support Legal Reforms: Advocate for legal reforms that enhance the protection of women and children in protest environments.
Provide Legal Aid: Offer pro bono legal services to victims of protest-related violence and exploitation.
11. Policy Makers:
Formulate Policies: Develop and implement policies that prioritize the safety and well-being of women and children in protest environments.
Ensure Implementation: Work with relevant agencies to ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of these policies.
The stakeholders noted that safety and well-being of women, disability community and children in protest and other violent environments are of paramount importance.
The recommendations outlined aimed at addressing immediate and long-term needs for protection and support.
They call on relevant stakeholdersbincluding government agencies, law enforcement, security organizations, civil society, media, youth groups, and religious and traditional institutions to collaborate effectively in implementing the measures.
