The Niger Delta Coalition Against Child Labour and Trafficking, a coalition of 30 NGOs and civil society organisations established in 2001 to combat child labour/trafficking and fight violence against children, young people and women has expressed concern that despite being the single largest contributor to the Nigerian budget, the Niger Delta region remains the largest supplier of children for labour and sexual exploitation in West and Central Africa. Yet the Nigerian Government is colluding with multinational oil companies in the region to protect profits at the expense of child survival, development, protection and participation rights, at the expense of development, at the expense of the environment, at the expense of democracy and human rights. Noting that combating child trafficking and slavery needs increased local, national and international attention and ongoing effective prevention, protection and rehabilitation measures, the coalition has recently launched a multi-disciplinary campaign to raise awareness on the ills of child trafficking, promote access to justice, mobilise public opinion and mobilise resources.
The Niger Delta Coalition Against Child Labour and Trafficking, a coalition of 30 NGOs and civil society organisations established in 2001 to combat child labour/trafficking and fight violence against children, young people and women has expressed concern that despite being the single largest contributor to the Nigerian budget, Niger Delta region remains the largest supplier of children for labour and sexual exploitation in West and Central Africa yet the Nigerian Government is colluding with multinational oil companies in the region to protect profits at the expense of child survival, development, protection and participation rights, at the expense of development, at the expense of the environment, at the expense of democracy and human rights. Noting that combating child trafficking and slavery needs increased local, national and international attention and ongoing effective prevention, protection and rehabilitation measures, the coalition has recently launched a multi-disciplinary
campaign to raise awareness on the ills of child trafficking, promote access to justice, mobilise public opinion and action against the broader injustices contributing to child rights violations particularly child labour and trafficking, mobilise resources to support education for most vulnerable children, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims. The campaign activities include:
Research and documentation
Capacity building/training workshops
Civic education
Legal awareness/outreach
Organisation of International Days
Tribunals/Public Hearings
Advocacy
Information/ Library Services
Community Organizing/Monitoring
Legal Aid/Paralegal Training
Psychosocial Rehabilitation
In order to help us break the silence surrounding child trafficking, barriers to access to education and violence against children throughout the Niger Delta region and support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; the UNESCO decade: creating a culture for peace and non-violence for children of the world (2001-2010), the Global Movement for Children, Education for All and the ILO Convention 182 on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour and observation of relevant international days in Nigeria, the coalition seeks collaboration with funding agencies, international and national NGOs, technical assistance providers, volunteers, training institutions and other support groups.
For further information and collaboration, please contact:
Israel Ekanem, Programme Coordinator
Grassroots Empowerment Network
49 Ibong Road, P. O. Box 328
Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State
Nigeria
E-mail: [email][email protected]
Author
Anonymous (not verified)
