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Happy Birthday to our incredible Country Representative/National Coordinator, Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire Esq! We’re overflowing with gratitude and admiration for the remarkable work you’ve done for African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA). Your tireless efforts, unwavering dedication, and unrelenting passion have been a beacon of hope and inspiration to us all. May the Almighty bless you abundantly and crown your endeavors with immense success! Thank you for being an exemplary leader, flying the AWLA flag with pride, and making sacrifices that have significantly impacted the Association. Your love, care, and commitment to our collective growth are truly cherished. We’re honored to have you at the helm, and we celebrate you today and always! Here’s to another year of love, laughter, and limitless achievements! We love and appreciate you more than words can express! from all of us @ AWLA.

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As we celebrate Children’s Day 2025, we’re reminded that every child is a repository of dreams, hopes, and potentials. The theme “Children: Our Future and Our Responsibility” is apt, emphasizing our collective duty to nurture and protect them. However, many African children face significant challenges in realizing their fundamental rights.

 

Challenges Facing African Children

1. Poverty and Lack of Access to Basic Needs: Over half of children aged 0-17 live in poverty, hindering access to healthcare, education, and nutrition.

2. Child Labor and Exploitation: Children are subjected to forced labor, trafficking, and armed conflict.

3. Inadequate Enforcement of Child Protection Laws: Corruption and inconsistent enforcement leave children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

4. Limited Access to Education: Many African children lack access to quality education, with high dropout rates and limited infrastructure.

5. Healthcare Challenges: Limited access to healthcare services, high malnutrition rates, and vulnerability to diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS.

 

Alarming Statistics

– 19 grave violations against children occur daily in West and Central Africa (UNICEF).

– 57.5 million children in West and Central Africa need humanitarian assistance (UNICEF).

– 2,500 attacks on schools were verified in Africa between 2016 and 2021 (UN).

 

Efforts to Address These Issues

– Prioritize children’s rights and ensure access to quality education, healthcare, and safe environments.

– Strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms to protect children from exploitation, abuse, and violence.

– Support children’s emotional and psychological well-being.

– Empower children with skills and opportunities for growth.

 

Successful Initiatives and Policies

– Birth registration initiatives like the “No Name Campaign” and Nigeria’s Birth Registration Drive.

– Child protection laws like Kano State’s Child Protection Law and Zanzibar’s Children’s Act.

– Education initiatives like removing bans on pregnant students and the Safe Schools Declaration.

 

A Call to Action

Let’s prioritize our children! They are the beacons of hope for a brighter future. We must work together to:

– Provide access to quality education and healthcare.

– Protect them from exploitation, abuse, and violence.

– Support their emotional and psychological well-being.

– Empower them with skills and opportunities for growth.

 

Specific Steps You Can Take

– Raise awareness about children’s rights.

– Support organizations like African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and UNICEF.

– Empower children by creating inclusive spaces and supporting child-led initiatives.

– Advocate for policy change and support child rights policies.

 

Empowering Women, Empowering Children

Increasing women’s representation in decision-making roles can promote children’s rights and protection. Let’s support the Gender Bills and initiatives that empower women and children.

The Time is Now!!!

 

Thank you

Amanda Demechi- Asagba Esq
President
African Women Lawyers Association ( AWLA)
27/5/2025

The post A Reflection on Children’s Rights on Children’s Day 2025 appeared first on The African Women Lawyers Association.

Has Nigeria met the rights of children vis a vis their fundamental rights listed in the Child’s Rights Act? Education? Child labour? Child marriage? Genital mutilation (right to human dignity and humane treatment) etc?

 

The State of Child Rights in Nigeria: Progress and Challenges

As Nigeria celebrates Children’s Day, it’s essential to assess the country’s progress in upholding the rights of children. With the United Nations Theme for Children’s Day 2025: Upholding children’s rights is the compass to a better world – today, tomorrow and into the future. This is doubtlessly the key to a secured future

The theme as stated by the

Sustainable Development Goals SDG Resource Centre Children: Our Future and Our Responsibility”. emphasizes both the potential of children as agents of change and the need to acknowledge the responsibilities adults and the Government have to protect and support them to unleash their potential.

Key principles of the theme:

Children as agents of change:

Recognizing the capacity of children and young people to drive positive transformation through their unique perspectives and innovative ideas that can help shape a better future.

Our responsibility:

Acknowledging the crucial role adults play in safeguarding children’s rights, ensuring access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and protection from harm.

Focus on the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding children’s rights, which are considered human rights.

Listening to children:

Prioritizing the importance of listening to children’s views and experiences to understand their needs, aspirations, and priorities, thereby fulfilling their rights to self-expression and participation

This calls for special focus: Voices Amplified, Potentials unleashed, innovations Ignited. Time to drive change is here! Investment in children is our best and most secured investment.

 

The Child’s Rights Act of 2003 guarantees fundamental rights to Nigerian children, including the right to life, survival, and development; protection from discrimination, abuse, neglect, access to education. and access to justice. Children often lack access to justice and protection, with many cases of abuse going unreported or unresolved

 

Progress Made:

– The Act prohibits child marriage, with Section 21 stating that no person under 18 can contract a valid marriage.

– The law mandates education for children at primary and junior secondary levels (Section 15).

– Children are entitled to protection from discrimination based on origin, sex, or disability (Section 10).

– guarantees participatory rights of the child

– guarantees paramount consideration for the best interest of the child

– Specifies the duties and obligations of the parents to the child and obligations of the child to the parents and the State

 

Best Interest of the Child And Participatory Rights:

1. The Child’s Rights Act emphasizes the importance of considering the best interest of the child in all decisions affecting them.

2. Children have the right to participate in decisions making processes that affect their lives, including freedom of expression and association

 

Challenges:

1. Child Marriage: Nigeria has one of the highest rates of child marriage globally, with many girls married before age 18, affecting their education, health, and well-being.

2. Education:Approximately 20 million Nigerian children are out of school, highlighting the gap between policy and implementation.

3. Child neglect and abandonment

4. Child Labour: Many children engage in child labor, violating their rights to education and protection.

5. Child Abuse:The country struggles with physical, emotional, and mental abuse, including genital mutilation and child sexual assault which infringes on children’s right to dignity and humane treatment

 

Way Forward:

To ensure the well-being and development of Nigerian children, it’s crucial to:

Strengthen implementation and enforcement of the Child’s Rights Act.

Increase access to education and reduce child labor.

Address cultural practices that harm children, such as child marriage and genital mutilation.

Provide support and protection to vulnerable children. including those in conflict zones and victims of abuse.

provide a one stop victim protection centre, victim support, welfare, medicals, education, access to justice, compensation

Speedy dispensation of justice as justice delayed is victim revictimization and double jeopardy

Promote Awareness about children’s rights and the importance of considering the best interest of the child

 

Special Protection for Children and Their Mothers

In cases of divorce or separation, we advocate for special protection for children and their mothers. To minimize trauma and disruption to the children’s lives, mothers should be allowed to remain in the family home with the children. This approach would help reduce the number of out-of-school children and homeless children.

 

Maintaining the Children’s Standard of Living

The maintenance of the children should reflect their pre-separation standard of living. Fathers should contribute fairly to the children’s upkeep, taking into account the prevailing economic situation. Unfortunately, some fathers have been known to punish their children and ex-partners by understating their earnings or manipulating the court system.

 

Judicial Considerations

Judges should consider the children’s best interests and the economic reality when determining feeding and maintenance fees. Awarding inadequate amounts, such as N30,000 for three children when the actual cost is N180,000 or more, can be detrimental to the children’s well-being. Such decisions can have devastating consequences, effectively sentencing the children and their mother to financial hardship.

 

Prioritizing the Best Interests of the Child

Courts should prioritize the best interests of the child, ensuring that decisions regarding custody, maintenance, and support prioritize the child’s well-being and stability. By doing so, we can protect the rights and welfare of Nigerian children and their mothers.

 

AWLA’s Role

 

Empowering a Brighter Future for Nigerian Children

The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) is a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations – children. With a steadfast commitment to protecting their rights, AWLA has made a lasting impact in the lives of young Nigerians.

 

AWLA’s Impactful Initiatives

Advocacy and Awareness: AWLA sparks meaningful conversations about children’s rights, particularly for girls, through events and lectures that promote education and protection.

Empowering Girls: AWLA’s initiatives empower girls through education, mentoring, and gift-giving, fostering confidence and potential.

Zero Tolerance for Bullying: AWLA condemns bullying in schools, prioritizing every child’s safety and well-being.

Child Protection Advocacy: AWLA advocates for child protection, working tirelessly to eliminate harmful practices that affect children.

Supporting Vulnerable Children: AWLA provides a platform for discussion and action, protecting vulnerable children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

 

Access to Justice for All

AWLA’s commitment to justice is unwavering. The organization provides:

Free Legal Representation: AWLA offers free legal services to those in need, ensuring equal access to justice.

Free Legal Clinic: Every Friday, AWLA’s legal clinic provides a safe space for individuals to seek legal guidance and support.

AWLA’s efforts focus on:

Protecting Children from Harmful Practices: Such as child marriage, genital mutilation, sexual assault and child labor.

Promoting Education;Ensuring access to quality education for all children.

Providing Support and ProtectionFor children who are victims of abuse or exploitation.

Building Bold, Brave, Responsive and Confident Future Leaders

Collective Action for Common Goal:

By working together with government agencies, civil society organizations, communities, industry et al, we can create a brighter future for Nigerian children. AWLA’s dedication to protecting children’s rights is a shining example of the power of collective action. Join the movement and let’s build a safer, more just society for all and particularly a more supportive environment for Nigerian children to thrive.

Visit us:

www.awlanigeria.org https://awla.international

Facebook:@Africanwomenlawyersassociation

 

Amanda Demechi-Asagba

World President

African Women Lawyers Association

(AWLA)

President Legal Pool For Justice and Equity Initiative ( LPJEI)

23/5/2025

The post The State of Child Rights in Nigeria Progress and Challenges appeared first on The African Women Lawyers Association.

Dear amazing young friends,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge your incredible resilience and strength. Despite facing numerous challenges and hardships, you continue to shine brightly, filling the world with your energy, creativity, and laughter.

 

As the hope of the future, it’s essential to remember that you have the power to shape the world you want to live in. Don’t let frustrations or obstacles hold you back! You are capable, talented, and deserving of a bright future.

 

As children, you have rights that deserve to be respected and protected. It’s crucial to assert and defend these rights, knowing that upholding children’s rights is vital for creating a better world today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Your rights: commonly known as your Bill of Rights or your fundamental Human Rights are:

1. Right to life
2. Right to human dignity
3. Right to personal liberty
4. Right to fair hearing
5. Right to private life
6. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
7. Right to freedom of expression at the press
8. Right to peaceful assembly as nd association
9. Right to Freedom of movement
10. Right to Freedom from discrimination
11. Right to Participate
12. Right to name
13. Right to Education
14. Right to quality health care etc

See the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( As Amended) and the Child’s Rights Act

The Convention on the Rights of Children

Your voice is a weapon that can disarm any one who tramples on your rights. Use it!!!

You are not just the future; you are the present, and your actions, dreams, and aspirations matter. You are the shining stars who will light the way for a brighter, more secure future.

 

Remember, you are not alone. There are people who care about you deeply and want to support you in any way they can. Don’t be afraid to reach out, ask for help, and believe in yourself. At African Women Lawyers Association, we resolute to end violence against Children, ready and willing to mentor you and grant you unfettered access to justice. We are your dependable allies. Just a call way

Visit us: https://awla.international

 

As the SDGs Resource Centre so aptly puts it, “You are our future and our responsibility.” Let’s work together to create a world where every child can thrive, grow, and reach their full potential.

 

Keep shining, keep dreaming, and never give up on your aspirations. You are the key to a brighter, more loving, and more just world.

 

Believe in yourself, and never forget: You are loved, you are valued, and you are the future!

Love you loads and loads !!!!

 

Mandy Asagba
President
African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)
27/5/2025

The post A Special Message to Children, Especially African Children appeared first on The African Women Lawyers Association.

At the wedding of the Century held in Braga, Portugal , with Close family and friends at a choice resort SOLAR DA LEVADA with very beautiful breathtaking ambiance

 

The picutures speaks for itself. It was fun all through, the food was the best ever, it was simply exotic and classy. A Dream wedding!!! The Secretary General of AWLA Sakinah Adepeju Oduye-Quadri led the delegation with HRH Olori Olufunmi Ajibola Oluyede,( AWLA USA) Obiamaka Aja ( AWLA Nigeria) Oluremi Olanrewaju ( AWLA Ogun/ London, Pricilia Oditah ( AWLA London), Feyi Sule ( AWLA London)

The Bride and Groom KACY ANN KNIGHT

AND ERIC ODAFETANURE ASAGBA

It was a memorable event!!!!

Congratulations Madam President MANDY DEMECHI-ASAGBA!!!

Wishing the latest couple marital bliss, all round successes, fruitfulness and prosperity!!!!!

 

The post TOP AWLA Executives storm Braga Portugal to honour its President Mandy Asagba on her Son’s Wedding March 27-30, 2025 appeared first on The African Women Lawyers Association.

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AWLAN President Mandy Asagba, in France with AWLA Secretary General Sakinah Oduye-Quadri, Secretary AWLA International Conference Planning Committee Obiamaka Aga with AWLA France Country Rep Soaud Houssein on 31/3/2025 in Paris

Hotel Novotel Beaugrenelle 61 quai de grenelle 75015 PARIS

 

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