Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has issued a powerful call for the nation to adopt evidence-based strategies in the fight against child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Urgent Need for Data-Driven Solutions
In her message marking the 2025 World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, observed globally on November 18, Senator Tinubu stressed that meaningful progress requires policies grounded in rigorous research and reliable data rather than assumptions.
The First Lady emphasized that this year's theme, "Strengthening the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Through Evidence-Based Policy Making", highlights the critical need for data-driven approaches to address this pervasive issue.
Strengthening Child Protection Systems
Senator Tinubu outlined several key areas requiring immediate attention, including:
Early reporting mechanisms that enable prompt intervention when abuse occurs
Comprehensive survivor support services to help victims recover from trauma
Consistent prosecution of offenders to ensure justice and deter future crimes
She noted that reliable data and thorough research are essential to understand the true scale of child sexual abuse in Nigeria and to design interventions that effectively protect vulnerable children.
Collaborative Approach to Child Safety
The First Lady called for stronger collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including:
- Government agencies at all levels
- Civil society organizations
- Traditional rulers and religious leaders
- Parents and educators
- Young people themselves
"As a nation, we must ensure that every child grows up free from fear and harm," Senator Tinubu declared, urging all sectors of society to work together toward creating safer environments for Nigerian children.
She also emphasized the importance of awareness campaigns, community-based prevention strategies, and moral guidance within homes, stating that these efforts would reinforce national policies aimed at shielding children from abuse.
The First Lady concluded her message with prayers for the protection of all Nigerian children and called for renewed national commitment to their safety and well-being.
Global Context of the Observance
The World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to raise global awareness, promote prevention measures, support survivors, and encourage accountability.
This international observance draws attention to the widespread nature of child sexual violence, including in conflict situations, and highlights the need for healing services for survivors who often suffer long-term physical and psychological impacts.
The commemoration aligns with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which call for an end to all forms of violence, exploitation, and harmful practices against children. It also recognizes advocacy efforts by governments, civil society, and survivor networks pushing for stronger laws and policies to protect children both online and offline.
This year's commemoration urged countries worldwide to intensify efforts to end child sexual abuse and build safer, more dignified futures for children everywhere.
