Advancing the Protection of Child Domestic Workers: Devatop Hosts Second Policy Dialogue in Lagos
On October 8, 2024, Devatop Centre for Africa Development with support from the Freedom Fund held its second policy dialogue on child domestic work at Amber Residence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Juvenile Justice Centre, the National Orientation Agency, National Human Rights Commission, religious institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, and various Federal Government MDAs in Lagos State.
The main focus of the dialogue was to review the progress on the “Take Action” commitments made during the previous session and to address existing policy gaps concerning the rights and protection of child domestic workers (CDWs). Through collaborative discussions and interactive sessions, participants explored innovative solutions to strengthen policies and improve the welfare of CDWs.
The Executive Director of Devatop, Mr. Joseph Osuigwe, opened the event with a welcome address, emphasizing the importance of effective policy implementation. He stressed that safeguarding child domestic workers requires putting existing policies into action and ensuring their continuous monitoring.
Mrs. Comfort Agboko, Lagos Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), delivered the keynote address on “Strengthening the Legal Framework for Child Domestic Workers in Nigeria.” Her speech provided data-driven insights, urging participants to address the issues of child domestic work within their communities and to focus on practical, community-based solutions.
A panel discussion featuring representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Justice, the Child Protection Network, and SOS Children’s Village explored actionable strategies for moving from policy formulation to actual implementation. The panellists discussed ways to close the gap between existing laws and their enforcement, emphasizing the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
An interactive session followed, during which participants discussed findings from a mapping exercise conducted by DEVATOP that highlighted key policy gaps. Practical recommendations were generated to close these gaps, with several organizations committing to taking specific actions to fight child domestic labour in Lagos State.
The policy dialogue concluded with all stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to advancing the protection and rights of CDWs through collective action and sustained collaboration. The event underscored the urgency of moving beyond policy discussions to taking concrete steps that will create a safer environment for child domestic workers in Nigeria.
