domestic law on the rights of the child in Nigeria. The CRA was passed as a federal law but it does not have a direct application effect in the states of the federation until individual states enact it at the state level because it is a law which is in the Residual list.
The CRA in its comprehensiveness provides a varying range of child rights which includes but not limited to the prohibition on the use of children in criminal activities, the exposure of children to use, production and trafficking of narcotic drugs, prohibition on the use of children in exploitative labor, etc. The CRA can be said to be divided into 4 categories of rights;
a. The survival category; includes the right to life, good health, balanced nutrition, etc. provided in sections 12, 13.
b. The development of the child provided in section 15 and 29.
c. The protection due to a child contained in sections 21-52 and
d. The participatory rights of the child provided in sections 3(1) (2), 6. 7, 8, 13, 19 & 20. These four categories as described briefly summarizes the CRA and the types of protection which it affords the Nigerian child. Most importantly as it concerns this paper is the examination of the CRA’s provisions as regards Child marriage and the protection which it affords the Nigerian girl child. The CRA makes a glaring prohibition of child marriage by providing that;
“No person under the age of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage, and accordingly a marriage so contracted
These are of great importance and are essential to the development and well being of a child, having the rights of the child set in place helps us as playworkers to have something to follow and ensure that they are being put into practice and achieved within the setting.
Some of the current legislations include the “United Nations Convention in the Rights of the child 1989” which is the act that gives the right to protection from abuse, the right to express their views and have their
The convention on the rights of the child 1989- The Convention's objective is to protect children from discrimination, neglect and abuse. It is the principal children's treaty, covering a full range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It grants rights for children in peacetime as well as during armed conflict, and provides for the implementation of those rights. It can promote anti-discriminatory practice by giving children protection and rights. It can also make sure that children will be given somewhere safe to be; not near any war zones and hazardous areas which could cause ill- health.
The United Nations convention on the rights of the child is to promote all aspects for the care, development and education of children, non discrimination on the grounds of gender, religion, disability, language, ethnic/social origin, civil and political rights, economic, social, cultural and protective rights.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is there for the rights of children should allow children priority
The rights of all children & young people are stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UNCRC have 54 articles that outline and define the rights of children, some of which are;
It might be difficult to accept but every child can be hurt, put at risk or harm or abused, regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity.
The term ‘child protection’ refer to preventing and responding to violence, exploitation and abuse against children – including commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices, such as female
It includes the right to protection from abuse, the right to express their views and have them listened to and the right to care and services for disabled children or children living away from home. Although the Government has said it regards itself bound by the Convention and refers to it in child protection guidance, it has not become part of UK-wide law.
The United Nations Convention on the rights of a child (1989) is a treaty that sets out the rights and freedoms of all children in a set of 54 articles.
This legislation states the rights the child has and what the Government must do to protect their rights. For example every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to develop their physical, mental and social needs and the Government must provide extra money for families in need if their standard of living is below par.
The following is an outline of current legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures within the UK Home Nation for Safeguarding Children.
- The United Nations Convention on the rights of children (UNCRC) states that all children have voices and have the right to be heard, whether this is regarding activities they are doing or what is happening in their lives both in school and at home, the should be allowed to express their feelings and opinions. It also states that children have the right to be protected from all forms of physical, mental and sexual abuse as well as neglect.
The United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (1989) is an international human rights treaty that grants all children a comprehensive set of rights. The convention has 54 articles and it sets out in detail what every child needs to have for a safe, happy and fulfilled childhood. Article 19 states children’s rights to be ‘protected from all