Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), in the 2021 Anambra Gubernatorial Election, Chioma Ifemeludike has led a protest to the Anambra State legislative complex, demanding tougher punishment for perpetrators of all kinds of child abuse and trafficking in the state.
Ifemeludike, during the protest, under the Comrade Chioma Grace Ifemeludike Ministry (CGIM), led other individuals bearing various inscriptions focused on reported cases of child abuse, sexual molestation, aimed at drawing government attention to child protection and enforcement of existing laws.
According to her, the protest was an evangelical method of seeking social justice, necessary to strengthen child protection and improve accountability for abuse.
Ifemeludike urged authorities to immediately investigate and prosecute reported child abuse cases while ensuring due process and adequate protection for child victims and witnesses throughout legal proceedings.
She also called for stricter enforcement of child protection laws in Anambra State and effective implementation of existing child-rights provisions already recognised under Nigeria’s legal framework.
The protesters appealed to the Chairman of the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and member representing Onitsha North Constituency, Hon. Mimi Ikpeazu, to sponsor legislation that would strengthen the enforcement of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, which protects children from economic exploitation and hazardous work, as well as relevant provisions of the Labour Act, 2004, on age limits and conditions for young workers.
They further demanded accountability for adults and institutions that conceal or ignore cases of child abuse instead of protecting victims, and called for regular public awareness campaigns to educate communities on child rights and the need to report abuse.
Ifemeludike advocated the introduction of life imprisonment as punishment for serious cases of child abuse, to serve as a deterrent to others.
Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Mimi Azikiwe, acknowledged the concerns raised but said the major challenge is not necessarily the absence of laws.
She said existing provisions under Child Rights Law and Violence Against Persons (VAP) law address many child-abuse cases, stressing that implementation and enforcement remain a major challenge.
The Majority Leader, Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Ikenna Ofodeme also appealed to the protesters to observe the procedures of the legislature when seeking the attention of lawmakers, while adding that the Assembly is already reviewing existing laws and considering issues relating to penalties and enforcement.
