UNICEF inaugurates child protection information management centre.
UNICEF and the Federal Government have opened a new facility to share data on child protection. An information management and research centre for child protection was opened by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to collect data on child welfare in Nigeria.
Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, unveiled the centre on Monday in Abuja and stated that it will serve as a database for all cases involving children in the country.
“This is a huge step towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme, which cannot be realised without credible data,” she continued.
In its support of Nigeria’s endeavour to safeguard children, UNICEF has undertaken the commendable endeavour of constructing this institution.
At the centre, the minister said, “and this will assist in doing research that might lead the road to finding sustainable solutions” to child abuse, harmful traditional practises, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Since kids can’t advocate for themselves, she thinks the centre is a huge step in the right direction for child protection.
“Whisperblowers can now call us, and we have posted this information to aid with intervention,” the minister stated.
A “timely intervention to understand avenues of access in terms of support for children,” said UNICEF Deputy Country Representative Rownak Khan of the center’s opening.
It is impossible to know a child’s life circumstances without information and proof.
With the data collected at this hub, we will be able to create initiatives for kids across Nigeria, with an emphasis on the most marginalised and at-risk youth.
In the United Nations, we often make noises about sustainable development, but the support we offer isn’t always well-maintained and doesn’t produce any tangible results.
“However, this is an excellent illustration of how our effort will leave a lasting legacy; the research will serve as the foundation for all future endeavours, and it will remain in the possession of the government.”
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Chief Child Protection Officer Ibrahim Sesay further clarified that the centre would compile and attach reports identifying hotspots for child abuse and neglect.
By creating and implementing the federation-wide child protection information management system, we have collected data standards for all 36 states.
An increase in data collection and analytical capabilities, along with a strengthening of the ministry’s capacity, will result from this, he added.
You may remember that not long ago, the ministry officially established the Nigerian Council for Social Works (NCSW) and its board to monitor the implementation of operating norms that govern the field of social work in Nigeria.