Harnessing Media for Child Rights and School: A Clarion Call

Oru Leonard 

Prominent stakeholders have underscored the critical role of the media in championing child rights and promoting school safety amid growing insecurity in Nigeria. At a high-level event organized on Friday by UNICEF, experts emphasized the urgent need for a united effort to protect children, amplify their voices, and uphold their right to education, even in challenging circumstances.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, highlighted the transformative power of the media in safeguarding children’s welfare. “Children are not only our future; they are our present. The media must go beyond reflecting societal realities to actively inspire change by exposing injustices, amplifying children’s stories, and holding governments accountable for ensuring child protection and education,” Aduda stated.

To ensure the media effectively advocates for children, the event proposed key strategies, including:
• Promoting child-centered and inclusive storytelling that prioritizes the voices of children.
• Fostering advocacy journalism to uncover abuses and drive systemic reforms.
• Building strategic partnerships with NGOs, policymakers, and child protection specialists.
• Providing specialized training for journalists on ethical and sensitive reporting of child-related issues.
• Advocating for digital literacy and online safety to protect children in the digital age.

The call to action aims to position the media as a pivotal force in safeguarding children’s rights and enhancing school safety across Nigeria, reinforcing the commitment to building a future where every child thrives in a secure and supportive environment.

(FMWA Press)