Child rights experts and social workers have called for stronger action to curb the exploitation and abuse of children engaged in domestic work.
They warned that emerging forms of abuse require better-equipped protection systems and frontline responders.
The call was made on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop organised by the CeCe Yara Child Advocacy Centre for frontline child protection professionals in Lagos.
The workshop, held at the LCCI Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, focused on practical child welfare strategies, professional development and measures to improve the response to cases of child abuse and exploitation.
A gender justice and child protection expert, Mrs Alexis Sanya-Kawa, said continuous learning, mentorship and regular evaluation were essential for professionals working to protect children. Mrs Sanya-Kawa urged child rights practitioners to invest in their personal and professional development, noting that improved capacity would translate into better outcomes for vulnerable children.
She described Lagos State as proactive in its response to child abuse and other forms of violence, urging other states to replicate systems that have strengthened child protection efforts in the state.
‘Lagos State is very proactive in responding to issues of child abuse and other forms of violence against persons. I would like other state governments to replicate the systems that are in place within Lagos State,’ she said.
According to her, the establishment of special courts, forensic laboratories and other mechanisms had strengthened the state’s response to abuse, but more attention was needed to ensure effective implementation.
‘We have the special courts, we have the forensic lab, we have things that ensure that abuse is curbed. But what we need to do is ensure that we strengthen implementation,’ she added.
The founder of CeCe Yara, Mrs Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, said child abuse through exploitative domestic work was assuming new dimensions, requiring stronger interventions from government, communities and child protection professionals.
Ajayi-Kayode also warned that frontline workers handling abuse cases were vulnerable to burnout and vicarious trauma if they were not adequately equipped and supported.
‘We have child helpline counsellors, lawyers and case workers. If they are not well equipped and not well taken care of, they will burn out,’ she said.
She called on community members and victims to speak out against the abuse and exploitation of children, stressing the importance of early reporting and intervention.
Also a counsellor and mental health psychologist, Ms Gloria Joaquim, emphasised the importance of mental wellbeing among child protection professionals.
Joaquim led participants through sessions on wellness therapy and body movement healing, urging activists and social workers to prioritise self-care as part of effective professional practice.
‘Your mental wellbeing is very important. Respond with intentionality,’ she said.
She noted that effective stress management could improve decision-making among professionals who routinely deal with traumatic cases involving children.
Participants, including the Chief State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs Azeezat Ajaga, pledged renewed commitment to strengthening the protection of vulnerable children.
The workshop was sponsored by The Freedom Fund with support from the United States Government and was designed to strengthen the capacity of child protection professionals to prevent abuse, respond to exploitation and support survivors.