The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is strengthening child protection mechanisms in FCT communities to ensure a safe and friendly environment for children to thrive.

Idris Attah, the director of the Child Development Department, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, said this on Friday in Abaji, FCT, during a training session on Community-Based Child Protection Structures (CBCPS).

Mr Attah said the training, with a focus on community structures in Abaji and Kuje Area Councils, followed similar ones earlier conducted in Kwali and Abuja Municipal Area Council.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at strengthening child protection mechanisms at the grassroots.

He stressed the FCT Administration’s commitment to creating safe, child-friendly environments across all FCT communities.

Mr Attah said the communities were trained on the provisions of the Child Rights Act, various forms of child abuse, and prevention and resolution strategies.

“The FCTA remains dedicated to guaranteeing the safety and welfare of every Nigerian child, and it is, therefore, imperative that our communities be fully conversant with the provisions of the Child Rights Act to effectively safeguard children,” he said.

Providing details on the training structure, the desk officer of the Child Protection Unit, Njideka Nwaeme, explained that 10 participants were selected from each community to form local Child Protection Councils.

Ms Nwaeme explained that the councils consisted of a traditional ruler, male and female youth leaders, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, an educationist, security personnel, a health worker, and an auxiliary social worker.

She noted that the practical, role-play-centred workshop covers child rights, identification of types of abuse, including cyberbullying, care for children with special needs, and community conflict resolution.

“The workshop is designed to be practical rather than theoretical to ensure long-lasting impact.

“Participants learn step-by-step responses to child abuse cases, including prioritising immediate medical attention for rape victims before formal police reporting,” Ms Nwaeme added.

Participants at the workshop commended the FCTA and UNICEF for the initiative, noting that it enhanced their capacity to combat child abuse, child labour, and sexual violence within their localities.

A participant from Kayarda community in Kuje Area Council, Danlami Magaji, said the exercise exposed him to effective mechanisms for reporting and handling child abuse cases.

Another participant, Hauwawu Yusuf, a community woman leader from Kayarda, expressed gratitude for the capacity-building effort, which she said would aid her ongoing voluntary work in supporting widows and securing school placements for vulnerable children.

Similarly, Awhetu John from Gaube Community said that the knowledge gained would help in providing proper care for survivors of sexual abuse, battery, and child labour.

Six communities across five clusters in Abaji and two clusters in Kuje are taking part in the current phase of the training.

The training is scheduled to move to Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils next week.

(NAN)