The ILO suggest that Child Labour is best defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.
Section 28 of the Child’s Right Provides that no child shall be‐
(a) subjected to any forced or exploitative labour; or
(b) employed to work in any capacity except where he is employed by a member of his family on light work of an agricultural, horticultural or domestic character; or
(c) required, in any case, to lift, carry or move anything so heavy as to be likely to adversely affect his physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development;
(d) employed as a domestic help outside his own home or family environment.
(2) No child shall be employed or work in an industrial undertaking and nothing in this does not apply to work done by children in technical schools or similar approved institutions if the work is supervised by the appropriate authority.

Safety tips against forced labour:
Public awareness and enlightenment.
Children should be taught their rights.

Penalty: (State applicable laws and jurisdiction)
By virtue of Section 28 (3) and (4), Any person who contravenes provisions prohibiting child labour is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty thousand naira or imprisonment for a term of five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Where an offence under this section is committed by a body corporate, any person who at the time of the commission of the offence was a proprietor, director, general manager or other similar officer, servant or agent of the body corporate shall be deemed to have jointly and severally committed the offence and may be liable on conviction to a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand naira.
Section 29 also provides that provisions of Section 59-62 of the Labour Act on prohibition of industrial and night labour applies

Stalking is unwanted and/or repeated surveillance by an individual or group toward another person. With the advent of technology, Cyber stalking is more prominent. Cyber stalking is criminalized by section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc). It prohibits sending obscene messages or messages aimed at bullying or intimidating.

Safety tips:
Adequate education on cyber safety
Children should be taught how to deal online
Children should escalate to an adult, the moment a person is seen to act strangely.

Penalty: (State applicable laws and jurisdiction)
Section 24(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act provides as follows:
Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that –
(a) is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or
(b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent: commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Section 24 (2): Any person who knowingly or intentionally transmits or causes the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network –
(a) to bully, threaten or harass another person, where such communication places another person in fear of death, violence or bodily harm or to another person;
b) containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to harm the person of another, any demand or request for a ransom for the release of any kidnapped person, to extort from any person, firm, association or corporation, any money or other thing of value; or
(c) containing any threat to harm the property or reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other person of a crime, to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value: commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction-
(i) in the case of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection to imprisonment for a term of 10 years and/or a minimum fine of N25,000,000.00; and
(ii) in the case of paragraph (c) and (d) of this subsection, to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and/or a minimum fine of N15,000,000.00.
By virtue of Section 24 (3), A court may also make an order, which may, for the purpose of protecting the victim or victims of the offence, or any other person mentioned in the order, from further conduct which may intimidate the victim

Sexual abuse and exploitation of a child is a form of child sexual abuse in which person(s) of any age takes advantage of a power imbalance to force or entice a child into engaging in sexual activity in return for something received by the child and/or those perpetrating or facilitating the abuse.
Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child (whether by asking, pressuring, or by other means), indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc), child grooming and child exploitation, including the use of a child to produce child pornography.

Safety tips:
*Parents should build trust by talking to their children regularly, asking about their day as well as creating a comfortable atmosphere for the children to feel relaxed and report any issue.
*Parents should give their children adequate sexual orientation and mentorship.
*Children should be educated on sexual abuse and other related matters.
*Parents should be attentive when their children lay complaints about uncomplimentary behaviors exhibited by any adult towards them.
*Parents should be vigilant to notice any sudden change in the mood or unusual withdraw of a child towards her parents, friends, siblings, a particular adult, etc.

Penalty: (State applicable laws and jurisdiction)
Section 222 of the Criminal Code provides that any person who unlawfully and indecently deals with a girl under the age of 16years is guilty of a misdemeanor and liable to a punishment of 2years imprisonment, with or without caning. If the girl is under the age of 13years, he is guilty of felony and liable to an imprisonment of 3years, with or without caning.

A corporal/hard punishment is a physical punishment done to a child which is intended to cause physical pain to such child. It is in most cases meant to cause pain or discomfort in response to a child’s behavior. Examples include; spanking, slapping, pushing, hitting with hard object etc.

Safety tips:
*Lighter ways of correcting children should be encouraged.
*Alternative means of correcting children should be embraced.
*The use of hard objects such as metals, rods or iron should be avoided
*Hitting sensitive parts of a child should be avoided as well.
*Corrections or punishments should be reasonable.
Children should be taught their rights to protection

Penalty: (State applicable laws and jurisdiction)
There is no express punishment prescribed by law. Although, Article 222 (1) of the Child’s Right Act 2003 expressly forbids the use of corporal punishment on a child. However, in a situation where the injury sustained during corporal punishment is grievous, such a person can be charged under Section 355 of the Criminal Code which makes provisions for ‘Assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm’. The offence is a felony and such person is liable to an imprisonment of 3years.
While it is not criminal to inflict corporal punishment on a child, there are restrictions in using such punishments. Section 211 states this clearly on the issue of dealing with children in conflict with the law. It says
(1) No child shall be ordered lo be‐
(a) imprisoned; or subjected to corporal punishment
The Child’s Right Act also provides for the Child’s Dignity of Human Person to be preserved.
We believe a child can get civil recourse if a legal action is brought under this head

Female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The Nigerian law doesn’t clearly define FGM.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) does not specifically refer to violence against women and girls, harmful traditional practices or FGM; Section 34(1) provides that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of their person and, accordingly, no one ‘shall be subject to torture, or to inhuman or degrading treatment.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act) seems to be the only law to criminalise FGM but it does not provide a clear definition of FGM; Section 6(1) of the law opens with the simple statement, ‘The circumcision or genital mutilation of the girl child or woman is hereby prohibited.’
Section 6(2) criminalises and punishes anyone who performs, or engages another to perform, female circumcision or genital mutilation.
Section 6(3) criminalises and punishes anyone who attempts to perform, or engage another to perform, the practice.
Finally, Section 6(4) criminalises and punishes those who incite, aid, abet or counsel another to perform or attempt to perform FGM.

Safety tips:
*Orientation of pregnant women.
*Sensitization and awareness of the general public.
*Women given birth in a licensed hospital or Medical centers

Penalty: (State applicable laws and jurisdiction)
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Acts which has been domesticated by some states in Nigeria such as Ondo, Oyo, Edo, etc has provided the following criminal penalties against anyone found guilty of the offence:
*The performance of Female Genital Mutilation or engagement of another to perform FGM carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding four years or a fine not exceeding 200,000.00 Naira (US$554.808), or both.
Also, attempting to perform FGM or engaging another to perform FGM carries a punishment of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding 100,000.00 Naira (US$277.309), or both.

Anyone who incites, aids, abets, or counsels another person to perform FGM or engage another to perform FGM is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to a fine not exceeding 100,000.00 Naira (US$277.3010), or both.
Some individual states set out their own penalties for FGM. For example:
*Cross Rivers state – The Girl-Child Marriages and Female Circumcision (Prohibition) Law (2000), Section 4 sets out that any person who performs FGM, offers herself for FGM, coerces, entices or induces another to undergo FGM or allows any female who is either a daughter or ward to undergo FGM is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than 10,000 Naira (US$27.7011) or to imprisonment not exceeding two years for a first offender (and to imprisonment not exceeding three years without an option of fine for each subsequent offence).
*Ebonyi state – Following introduction of the VAPP Act, it brought in a five-year prison sentence for anyone who carries out FGM.
*Edo state – The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Law (1999) sets out the penalty for performing FGM as not less than three years’ imprisonment or a fine of not less than 3,000 Naira(US$8.3012) or both.
*Rivers state – The Child Rights Act (2009), Section 25 sets out that any person who directly or indirectly causes a female child to be subjected to FGM is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding 50,000 Naira (US$138.6014) or imprisonment for a term of one year, or both.
In addition:
Punishments for medical malpractice under the Medical Act (2004), Section 16(2) include being struck off the relevant professional register or from practice for a period not exceeding six months.
A person who commits an offence regarding the removal of tissue under the National Health Act 2014 will be punished under Section 48(3)(a) with a fine of 1,000,000 Naira (US$2,77315) or imprisonment of not less than two years, or both.

Harmful widowhood practices are the various rites and practices which a widow is made to go through either before, during or after the funeral rites of her deceased husband. These practices differ from one culture to the other. Some of these practices include but not limited to: morning, shaving of hair, compulsory staying indoors for an unnecessary long period of time, wearing of black dresses, drinking of water used for washing the deceased husband, walking bare footed etc.

Safety tips:
*Sensitization of the general public.
*Abolishment of unhealthy widowhood practices.
*Enforcement of the various legislations enacted to curb these acts.
*Widows in these situations should speak up or contact either personally or by proxy the ministry of Women Affairs closest to them
*Public outcry.
*Prosecution of the perpetrators of these acts.

Penalty: (State applicable laws and jurisdiction)
Under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 which is operational in the Federal Capital Territory, the punishment is a 2years imprisonment or and fine of N500,000, for any person that subjects a widow to any harmful traditional practice. Punishments for attempting such offence or assisting and aiding an offender is imprisonment for 1year and or fine of N200,000.

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Contact the following organizations below for support services:

South
Mirabel Centre
Support Service Area: Free professional services to Survivors of rape and sexual assault
Physical Address: Lasuth, Ikeja General Hospital Road, Ikeja
Mobile: 0815 570 0000
Email: [email protected]
url:www.mirabelcentre.org
Social media accounts (Facebook/ Twitter: @MirabelCentreNG/ Instagram: @mirabelcentreng)

S.A.F.E® for Children Society
Support Services Area: S.A.F.E® for Children Society is a non–profit and non-political organization concerned with engaging the precious African children, young adults and primary and secondary caregivers in Meaningful, Healthy, Helpful/Supportive And Inspirational conversations and engaging child-focused professionals, policy makers, institutions, primary and secondary caregivers to Envision, Design, Plan, and Provide Care for the precious African Child by all STANDARDS NECESSARY.
Address: 15 Jubilee Road, By CMD Road. Besides PML Filling Station Magodo GRA Phase 2 Area, Lagos.
Mobile: 08144660492, 08033620843,
Email: [email protected]
Url: www.safeforchildrensociety.org

BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women (BHI)
Target Population: Young People, Rural Women, Vulnerable Children
Address: Beside Oseta Water Factory, Behind Alafia Specialist Clinic, Off Afekhai Street, Igarra, Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo State
Phone No(s): 07061910869, 07036354788
Email Address: [email protected], [email protected]
Website:- www.braveheartinitiative.org
LinkedIn: BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women
Facebook page: BraveHeart Initiative – BHI
Twitter:- @BHInigeria

Project Alert on Violence against Women
Provides information on all forms of violence against women/young girls; advocating for zero tolerance to all forms of violence against women/young girls; and providing practical support services to female victims of violence.
Lagos Office: 21, Akinsanya Street, Off Isheri Road, Taiwo Bus stop (Behind FRSC) Ojodu – Berger, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-1-8209387 / 08052004698 / 08180091072 / 234 -8708618
Email: [email protected]
Url: https://projectalertnig.org/address/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ProjectAlertOnViolenceAgainstWomen?_rdc=1&_rdr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectalertVaw

North

Debachanya Girl Child Empowerment Initiative
Support Services Area: Girl child right
Physical Address: No 1 beside Challenge School, Maitumbi, Minna, Niger state.
Mobile: 0813 965 3999
Email: [email protected]
Social media accounts: Facebook@Debachanya Girl Child Empowerment Initiative/ Twitter: @DAGirlchildEmp1/, IG: @deb_girlchildemp
Website: www.debachanyagirlchild.com.ng

Project Alert on Violence against Women
Provides information on all forms of violence against women/young girls; advocating for zero tolerance to all forms of violence against women/young girls; and providing practical support services to female victims of violence.
Abuja Office: 21, Akinsanya Street, Off Isheri Road, Taiwo Bus stop (Behind FRSC) Ojodu – Berger, Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: +234-1-8209387 / 08052004698 / 08180091072 / 234 -8708618
Email: [email protected]
Url: https://projectalertnig.org/address/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ProjectAlertOnViolenceAgainstWomen?_rdc=1&_rdr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectalertVaw

Note: You can also contact the Ministry of Women affairs in your State of residence.