AKWA IBOM CHILD RIGHTS LAW

The Akwa Ibom State Child Rights Law The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Godswill Akpabio, on 5th December, 2008 signed the child rights act into law to protect the growth of perceptual, emotional, intellectual, and behavioural capabilities and functioning during childhood of Akwa Ibom children under 16 years. The law protects the Akwa Ibom child from birth to adolescence and up to 16 years such that the child is afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community. Child development becomes notable from the emergence of speech at one to two years of age. 2 to 7 years is early childhood where the child uses symbolic thought and language to manipulate their environment. 7 to 12 is late childhood and marks the beginnings of logic, involving the classification of ideas and an understanding of time and number. 12 up forms development of empathy, the ability to appreciate the feelings and perspectives of others. Another important aspect of children's emotional development is the formation of their self- concept, or identity. The Akwa Ibom State child rights law empowers children with capacity to enjoy physical, social, and psychological well-being to the enforcement of physical, mental and emotional freedom from abuse. According to African Child Policy forum, an independent pan-African policy advocacy centre, "children under 15 constitute some 44 percent of Africa’s population, projecting a picture of a young continent and the broad brushes of a potentially dynamic and vigorous future. This is the positive side. But the sad fact also is that Africa’s children are the most disadvantaged in the world in terms of infant mortality rates, school enrolment, nutritional status and other social and economic indicators." The law which gave birth to Akwa Ibom State child rights law emanated from a convention of the United Nations. It was adopted by the Africa Union and domesticated by the National Assembly in 2003. Akwa Ibom State executive council sent the bill to the state's house of assembly for passage on 26th June, 2008. The house went into action, according legislative powers to the bill by setting up six technical committees, and was handled by the house committee on judiciary, human right, and public petitions. The Government of Akwa Ibom State is accountable for our children's well- being. Therefore, it seeks to fully protect the rights of the child entailing the assenting of the child rights act into law. For effective implementation of the child rights law Government will make budgetary commitments and massively deploy resources for health, education, nutrition, water, and sanitation.		Everyone under 16 years whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever family background is affected and covered by this law, receives government protection, and has rights spelt out in this law. Government respects the rights and responsibilities of families to direct and guide their children so that, as they grow, they learn to use their rights properly. Akwa Ibom children have the right to life. Government will ensure that children survive and develop healthily. Children must not be separated from their parents unless it is for their own good. For example, if a parent is mistreating or neglecting a child. Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might hurt the child. Government will take steps to stop children being taken out of their community illegally. Children have the right to say what they think should happen, when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account. Children have the right to get and to share information, as long as the information is not damaging to them or to others. Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters. Children have the right to meet together and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights. Children have a right to privacy. The law protects them from attacks against their way of life, their good name, their families and their homes. Children have the right to reliable information from the mass media. Television, radio, and newspapers should provide information that children can understand, and should not promote materials that could harm children. Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children, and should always consider what is best for each child. Government will help parents by providing services to support them, especially if both parents work. Government will ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or guardian. Children who cannot be looked after by their own family must be looked after properly, by a guardian who respects them. Children who have any kind of disability will have access to special care and support, so that they can lead full and independent lives. Children have the right to good quality health care, to clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment, so that they will stay healthy. Children have a right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and mental needs. Children and young people have a right to free primary and secondary education. Discipline in schools should respect children’s human dignity. Young people should be encouraged to reach the highest level of education they are capable of. Akwa Ibom State education will develop each child's personality and talents to the full. It will encourage children to respect their parents, and their own and other cultures. Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in their community or not. Children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of activities. The Government protects children from work that is dangerous, or might harm their health or their education. The Government provides ways of protecting children from dangerous drugs. The Government protects children from sexual abuse. The Government protects children from abduction, trafficking, slavery or sale. Children should be protected from any activities that could harm their development. Children who break the law should not be treated cruelly. They should not be put in prison with adults and should be able to keep in contact with their families. Children who are accused of breaking the law should receive legal help. Prison sentences for children should only be used for the most serious offences. Government will not allow children under 16 to join the army or be militarised. Children who have been neglected or abused should receive special help to restore their self-respect.
What the Child Rights Law will do	What you can do
With Government's concerns for the development of children a lot of interest has developed moving government to massively deploy social resources for the comfort and enjoyment of children to the extent that children now constitute major stakeholders in government agenda. The child rights law will be to the benefit of parents, guardians and Government as partners in the development of children. As the law enters implementation the following are what it will achieve: Legally binding instrument for protection of children's rights Provides for the setting up of a family court to try suspects for speedy adjudication of offenders  Create conducive environment for child development Enthrone peace and security in the Society Bring an end to child abuse by criminalising and penalising abusers Comprehensive government protection for rights of Akwa Ibom children Strengthen mechanisms and programs for the defence and protection of children Empower government agencies to represent the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints reported by individual citizens regarding children's rights Sustain our legacy to future generations Penalties: The law prescribes up to 15 years imprisonment without an option of a fine or both for offenders in Child stigmatisation, accusation of witchcraft or torture. Government to seal off premises of any organization used to perpetrate child abuse	With the passage and assenting of the Child Rights law a heavy burden is placed on Government to ensure compliance, enforce, prosecute, deploy resources, provide services and develop our children. It should be noted that acts against the interest of children will be viewed as anti government and as such will attract the full weight of the law. Government expects parents, associations, individuals and even children to coordinate and conduct their activities in a peaceful manner and in respect for the rights of all. Expectations from children: Respect each other in a humane way. Responsibility not to bully or harm each other. Responsibility to do what they can to look after their environment. Obligation to learn as much as their capabilities allow and, where possible, share their knowledge and experience with others. Lend help so the needy, the disadvantaged, and the victims of discrimination also enjoy this right. Obligation to respect other’s thoughts or religious principles. Expectations from parents: Develop strong family values Think child development Promote child respect Be tender and loving to children Be an example Expectations from associations: Create awareness and develop community interest Mobilise and seek support to develop and implement effective pro-child policies and programmes Bring the law to bear on all cultural practices Enthrone the principle of tolerance