DEVATOP HOSTS “TALKAM AGAINST CHILD LABOUR” EVENT IN COMMEMORATION OF THE WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR

Devatop Centre for Africa Development, with support from the Freedom Fund and in partnership with Street Project Foundation & CAPRIGHTS, organized a one-day event titled “TALKAM Against Child Labour” on June 20, 2024, to commemorate the World Day Against Child Labour, celebrated worldwide on June 11. Held at the Ibis Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, the event brought together various government stakeholders, civil society organizations, community influencers, and partners from the Protect Child Domestic Workers project.

The aim of the “TALKAM Against Child Labour” event was to further engage key stakeholders and relevant private sectors in using their platforms to raise awareness about the rights of Child Domestic Workers (CDWs) in Nigeria and their risk of exploitation. Several key speakers and representatives delivered impactful messages during the event. Mr. Andrew Adaji, Programs Manager for Devatop Centre for Africa Development, welcomed the audience. Mrs. Hajara Tunde-Osho, representing the Zonal Director of NAPTIP Lagos, spoke on the role of NAPTIP in mitigating exploitative child domestic work.

Insightful panel discussions featured experts and stakeholders exploring various aspects of child domestic work, including socio-economic factors and potential solutions. The interactive sessions allowed participants to share experiences and practical approaches to addressing child domestic work. 

Janet Homo, DEVATOP’s Project Lead in Lagos, presented the Talkam app, highlighting its key features designed to combat child labour and exploitation. The app offers a user-friendly interface for reporting cases, a case tracking feature for transparency and accountability, and a Board of Supporters where individuals and organizations can contribute to awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts. It has the TALK Room feature for organizations to showcase their work and promote collaboration. 

In conclusion, participants at the end of the event agreed on the need for continued collaboration and innovative approaches to protect child domestic workers. They committed to leveraging their respective platforms to promote awareness and drive action against the exploitation of children in domestic work. This event laid the groundwork for future initiatives and collaborations aimed at ending Exploitative Child Domestic Work in Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.