By Wisdom Agbonta
Towards tackling modern challenges affecting children in Edo State, a stakeholders’ engagement has been held between the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Ministry of Justice to finalize the review of the State Child Rights Law, 2007.
Explaining the review processes, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Chief Bisi Idaomi Esq., emphasized that the review of the law demonstrates a strong commitment by the Edo State Government and the relevant stakeholders, including Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) to ensure that children in Edo State are protected under a modern, responsive and comprehensive legal framework. She asserted that evolving nature of societal challenges and the growing complexity of issues affecting children necessitated a more responsive and adaptive legal framework to ensure the Law’s continued effectiveness.
Chief Idaomi while appreciating that the Child Rights Law which was domesticated in year 2007, has served as a foundational legal framework for the protection and welfare of children in the State, stated, “However, after 18 years of implementation, the Law became outdated and inadequate in addressing emerging and contemporary challenges affecting children in today’s society. This necessitated an urgent review and amendment to align the Law with present day realities.”
The Edo State Attorney General, Hon. Samson Osagie, represented by Chief Magistrate, His worship, A. I. Adamaigbo, provided invaluable guide of the review process. The overview of the Child Rights Law sparked valuable observations and insightful inputs from stakeholders, which will enhance the practicability and effectiveness of the Law in line with current legal standards.
Once passed, the amended Law will significantly strengthen the institutional and legal mechanisms for promoting the rights, protection and development of children in the State.
Present at the engagement was a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Marie Edeko Esq.; the Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr. Washington Osa Osifo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien; the State Coordinator of RoLAC, Uche Nwokedi; amongst others
