Impact Report Presentation and Review Meeting of the CDW Rights Pilot Project in Commemoration of International Human Rights Day
On the 10th of December 2024, Devatop Centre for Africa Development hosted a significant gathering dedicated to the advancement of child rights advocacy at the Amber Residence in Ikeja, Lagos. The Impact Report Presentation and Review Meeting of the CDW Rights Pilot Project marked International Human Rights Day with a focused mission: to assess progress, address challenges, and consolidate feedback for a stronger and more effective approach to protecting child domestic workers (CDWs) in Lagos State.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Janet Homo, the Project Lead, who set the tone with a concise overview of the project’s objectives and accomplishments. Her acknowledgement of stakeholders’ contributions underscored the collaborative spirit vital for achieving the initiative’s goals. Participants from diverse organizations introduced themselves, fostering an atmosphere of shared purpose and mutual respect.
In a powerful address, Mrs Hajara Tunde-Osho, the NAPTIP public Relations Officer, commended the efforts of the Devatop Centre for Africa Development. She described the meeting as an inspiring reflection of DEVATOP’s unwavering dedication to the protection of vulnerable children, emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure a future where children’s rights are upheld.
Janet Homo provided an in-depth presentation on the project’s scope and strategic priorities, which revolve around eradicating exploitative child domestic work through policy advocacy, community engagement, education, and enforcement. She highlighted key activities such as advocacy visits, community dialogues, and educational campaigns designed to raise awareness and drive policy reforms. Collaboration with stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and local communities, was identified as a cornerstone of the project’s success.
Several milestones were celebrated during the meeting. These included the development of engagement strategies tailored to both guardians and CDWs, the production of multilingual campaign materials, and the training of 72 forum members on safeguarding practices and child protection laws. The establishment of a Guardians-CDW forum and the training of 40 community influencers as champions against exploitation further demonstrated the project’s impact. A high-level panel discussion involving 80 participants highlighted the importance of collective advocacy in advancing the rights of child domestic workers.
The stakeholders present expressed their appreciation for Devatop’s leadership and commended the thoughtful organization of the review meeting. The meeting reinforced the importance of sustained collaboration and innovation in combating child exploitation, fostering an inspiring commitment among all participants to continue advocating for the rights and well-being of child domestic workers in Lagos and beyond.
