Communiqué: National Consultative Forum with Religious and Traditional Leaders 25 February 2016, Lagos, Nigeria

Transcription

1 Communiqué: National Consultative Forum with Religious and Traditional Leaders 25 February, Lagos, Nigeria We have come together in Lagos on the 25 th of February, at a national Consultative Forum with religious and traditional leaders, organised by UNICEF and Lagos State Government, with support from Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children and the United States Government. The National Consultative Forum is part of the planned activities under The Year of Action to End Violence against Children in Nigeria. In attendance were national and Lagos State representatives from the World Council of Churches, Anglican Community, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, The Methodist Church of Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama'atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Nigeria Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Ansar-ud Deen Society of Nigeria, Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Women, Center for Global Peace Initiative (CGPI), Pure Heart Foundation, Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih (NASFAT) Society, Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Inter-Faith Kaduna, FOMWAN, Baptist, government officials, traditional leaders and Child Protection Network (CPN) in the quest for ending violence against children. During deliberations at the interactive session with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, the following observations were made: We do agree that Violence against Children is rampant in our society and this is not acceptable for us any longer. We therefore make this communiqué as our commitment to end Violence against Children: 1

2 We observe that: If violence against children persists the future development of our children will be impacted There are peculiarity and differences in our beliefs, practices and culture Certain areas that need attention to end VAC are challenging in some states and amongst some communities, e.g. ending child marriages, adopting the Child Rights Act, etc. It is important to promote corrective measures that do not constitute violence against children It is important to first consider the African context and then religious recommendations. We agreed: That the family is a natural gift and children are precious gifts to families. Parents are custodians of the precious gifts That the family constitutes the father, mother and children That Religious and should denounce and rebuke VAC We uphold that responsibilities of parents to their children should be strictly adhered to, Any violation of their roles and responsibilities is regarded as violence Positive disciplinary action is not considered as Violence is the bodily harm in terms of its emotional, physical and sexual forms. Let us discourage any actions that provokes children and vice versa We call to action: All States to adopt the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act (2015). Support the remaining States that have not domesticated the Child Rights Act to make it part of their State laws. To assist families alleviate poverty and improve on social protection. Agencies at all levels (International, Federal and State) should support this cause through capacity building of religious and traditional actors in their efforts to end violence against children. We have collectively decided to establish an operational work plan that sets forth specific actions to implement these commitments during The Year of Action to End Violence against Children in Nigeria. We are resolved to take the necessary steps 2

3 to carry out those actions, to report publicly on our progress, and to monitor our collective progress. ACTION PLANS: Action Specific Action to be taken Point Sermons - Preaching/ making statements from Christian and Islamic studies addressing VAC Social media mobilisation Advocacy and Sensitisation - Utilise the VAC Campaign social media platforms. - Design and develop SMS, s and face book messages to end VAC - Lobby church leaders to support campaigns to end VAC. - Engage children on VAC with an emphasis on increasing their knowledge on VAC and encouraging them to Speak Out. - Seminars: Have combined seminars for Muslim and Christian Groups focusing on the theme of VAC. - Creation of social clubs i.e. Bible and Quran clubs. - Printing VAC materials and dissemination to schools and churches. Responsible institutions CAN and CCN denominations and Muslim Groups under NASFAT Religious and CCN Media Unit Lagos CAN, CCN, WOWICAN and NASFAT, JNI and FOMWAN Time-frame May/ June Parents Engagement - Engage parents to discuss VAC and also provide counselling to parents/families whose children have experienced - Utilise Parents and Teachers Associations (PTA) as platforms to discuss VAC. Religious and in different LGAs working with schools. Once per month on Wednesdays 3

4 Community Engagement Activities Special Days - Have platforms in church and mosques that allow children, youth and women to participate in decision-making activities. - Embark on Know Your Neighbour Initiative (one of the perpetrators of VAC are neighbours) - Initiate Youth Camps aimed at educating adolescent and youth on gender-based - Firstly by declaring a Day of Prayer and Fasting in each State and secondly by utilising the day to disseminate messages on VAC. - Utilise May 27 th (Children Day) to make public statements that promote the protection of children from abuse and - Utilise June 16 (Day of the African Child) as the day to call State and Non-State Actors to implement their commitments to End VAC. - Commemorate September 15 th (The day of the Presidential launch of the Year of Action to End Violence against Children in Nigeria) as a moment of taking stock of the progress made and paving the way forward. - Commemorate the 16 days of Activism (25 Nov 10 December) to address Gender-Based Violence. - Implement a week of enlightenment when all religious communities are called working with Community Development Associations, Community Based Organisations, Residents Associations, Carnival Organisers, Neighbourhood Watch With CAN and NASFAT taking the lead of the Commemorations Every fortnight On the Specific days i.e. May 27 th June 16 th November 25 th December 10 th (date for week of enlightenmen t to be determined) 4

5 upon to promote end VAC messages throughout the country Social Protection Activities - Start income-generating activities for the most vulnerable youth and women in society aimed at improving their household income. - Engage market women in discussing VAC and also incorporating unemployed youth into their enterprises. Nigeria Aid Group of Islam and CCN Justice delivery - In partnership with the Police and Child Protection Network assist children who experience violence to report cases and to ensure their speedy rehabilitation. Working with Police and Child Protection Network. 5