The Ebonyi Children’s Parliament has called on the government and relevant authorities to prioritise the welfare and social needs of children in the state.
The call was made on Monday by the Speaker of the Parliament, Miss Precious Ibiam from Ebonyi South, and her team.
They presented their communiqué to the Chief Judge of Ebonyi, Justice Elvis Ngene, in Abakaliki.
The communiqué, which contained resolutions reached during sittings in the state’s three senatorial zones, addressed issues such as education, health, child rights, abuse, and parenting.
The parliament advocated for improved infrastructure, better teaching standards, and enhanced child security.
The parliament also urged the state government to improve healthcare and social welfare for children, while calling for an end to child abuse and labour.
They condemned harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child trafficking, and other forms of abuse, highlighting their detrimental effects on children’s development.
The communiqué recommended strict punishment for perpetrators and urged citizens to contribute to the safety of children.
Additionally, the children’s parliament called for laws against child marriage, proposing penalties for parents who force their children into such unions.
The communiqué also emphasised the need for increased awareness on family planning and the issues surrounding child marriage, aiming to reduce situations that could put children at risk.
“The parliament wants the government to introduce policies that subsidise social services to help alleviate the effects of economic hardship, which often lead families to push their children into servitude,” the communiqué stated.
In his response, Ngene, represented by Justice Franklin Edem, assured the children that the judiciary would work to protect their rights and interests in the state.
He commended the Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre (HRCRC) for the initiative and encouraged the children to maintain integrity as they pursued their goals.
Mr George Etamason, Director of HRCRC, explained that the initiative aimed to inspire the children’s parliament to resume its role in governance and contribute more actively to the state’s development.
The centre, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, facilitated special sittings in the three senatorial zones.
Mr Oliver Ajahchima, State Coordinator for Civil Society Organisations Network, represented by Mr Anele Okoroagha, pledged to review the document and take necessary action.
Mrs Goodness Mbaja, Deputy Coordinator of the State Situation Room, commended the HRCRC for revitalising the children’s parliament, calling the initiative a vital programme for giving children a voice and ensuring their inclusion in the governance process.
The document was presented to the Chief Judge, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Gender-Based Violence Taskforce, the State House of Assembly, and the Network of Non-Governmental Organisations.
The signatories to the communiqué included Ibiam, Goodness Nwafor, Winfred Nwankwegu, and three clerks of the parliament.