From BEN AUTA, Kaduna
The Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) Working Group in Kaduna State has called for an end to all forms of child labour and exploitation, urging stronger collective action to protect children’s rights and dignity.
In a statement issued on Friday on the World Day Against Child Labour, signed by Dr Terngu Gwar, Chairman of the ACJL State Working Group, the organisation said urgent intervention is needed to safeguard children from abuse and deprivation.
The group said the annual commemoration serves as a reminder of society’s responsibility to protect children from exploitation and ensure the protection of their rights and future.
“This important day reminds us of our collective responsibility to protect children from exploitation and to safeguard their rights, dignity, and future,” the statement said.
It described child labour as one of the gravest violations of children’s rights, noting that many children remain deprived of education and exposed to hazardous working conditions, abuse, and other forms of exploitation.
According to the group, such practices undermine child development and pose broader risks to social and economic progress.
The ACJL Working Group said addressing child labour requires the effective implementation of existing laws, stronger institutions, public awareness, and coordinated action among government agencies, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, parents, and communities.
It added that the ACJL framework provides legal avenues for ensuring accountability in cases involving child exploitation and abuse.
The group called on relevant authorities to investigate and prosecute offenders while ensuring that victims are protected from further harm and provided with appropriate support services.
It further noted that the fight against child labour must also address underlying causes, including poverty, limited access to education, inequality, insecurity, and harmful social norms.
The statement urged residents to remain vigilant and report cases of child exploitation to the appropriate authorities, stressing that protecting children is a shared societal responsibility.
“As we mark this important day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a society where every child is free from exploitation, where justice is accessible, and where the rights and welfare of all children are protected and promoted,” the group said.