Devatop Centre empowers 131 community members to protect child rights, combat domestic worker exploitation in Lagos State.
Nigeria (EPICSTORIAN) – The Devatop Centre for Africa Development addressed child abuse, empowering 131 Lagos community members to protect vulnerable children’s rights, particularly child domestic workers.
Speaking at a conference on Thursday in Lagos, Mr. Joseph Osuigwe, Executive Director of Devatop Centre, highlighted the NGO’s achievements during its pilot project aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse.
Osuigwe revealed that the project, which ran between October 2023 and December 2024, was implemented with support from the Freedom Fund and the U.S. Department of State. It focused on training and empowering communities in Ijegun-Egba and Iyana-Sashi to safeguard child domestic workers (CDWs).
“During the project, Devatop Centre trained 45 community champions who sensitised over 350 individuals on child rights and protection. In addition, 3,000 awareness materials were distributed, and four multilingual audio-visual campaigns reached more than 50,000 people,” Osuigwe stated.
According to him, the initiative directly benefited 68 CDWs and 63 guardians, equipping them with knowledge on child safeguarding and protection measures. “Seven child domestic workers were enrolled in schools, while five others commenced vocational training to secure a better future,” he added.
The executive director lauded the project’s transformative impact in reducing exploitation and abuse through education, community engagement, and policy advocacy. Osuigwe emphasized that the initiative also reviewed 30 existing legal frameworks, identifying seven critical gaps. Collaborative discussions with 30 stakeholders yielded 24 action plans, five of which have been implemented to address these shortcomings.
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He further credited the organisation’s TALKAM Human Rights App for its important role in supporting their mission. “The app, recently recognised by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), offers a secure and confidential platform for reporting abuse cases and seeking assistance,” Osuigwe explained.
The conference also featured the launch of an innovative child rights game app, designed to raise awareness and educate young domestic workers on their rights while engaging them interactively, NAN reported.
Osuigwe expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including the Lagos State Government, for their continued support and partnership. He stressed that protecting vulnerable children is a collective responsibility that requires sustained efforts.
“We are proud to have empowered community members to take action in protecting the rights of child domestic workers. By working together, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for all children,” he said.
Child Abuse in Nigeria: A Broader Concern
Child abuse remains a significant challenge in Nigeria and across Africa, with alarming rates of domestic servitude and violence. According to UNICEF, six out of ten children in Nigeria experience some form of violence before the age of 18, often within their own homes.
Economic hardships and cultural norms exacerbate the issue, pushing families to subject children to exploitative labor under the guise of fostering or economic support. NGOs, like Devatop Centre, play a critical role in addressing these concerns through education, policy advocacy, and community engagement.
The Lagos State Government has also ramped up efforts to combat child abuse, recently implementing stricter enforcement of child protection laws and promoting partnerships with local organisations. However, much work remains to create sustainable solutions and prevent further cases of child exploitation.
