Treasure 
The rising spate of child abuse nowadays, cutting across both gender calls for concern.
Children by nature are lovable creatures. Easily trusting and kind. They are a joy to always have around.
Sadly, there’s no place in the world, where the child is so endangered like in Africa. In our traditional African setting, it’s always believed that a child must be punished for any wrongdoing otherwise the child will grow up to be a problem to society.
But, should a child be abused to be corrected?….. A minor that knows little or nothing!
Perpetrators always justify child abuse by quoting from the bible verse (Proverbs 13:24)that says,” He who spares the rod hates his son but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him”.
Hmm…maybe the problem is knowing where to create a balance between using or sparing the rod!. It beats my imagination and saddens me when I think of this.
Surprisingly, women who are meant to be mothers top the list of perpetrators for either aiding or engaging in child abuse… Women by nature, are supposed to be mothers.
Hence, they are expected to always show that motherly love not only to their own children but to others alike. One doesn’t have to be the biological parent of a child to be able to show love to that child.
Stories abound especially in our African setting where children who know little or nothing are oftentimes taken in as housemaids(as it’s popularly referred to). These so-called maids are sometimes treated in such an inhumane way by their “aunties“.
As a woman and a mother, I just can’t imagine how some people could look at children in the eye and still abuse them!….. Just take a moment and imagine the cry and pain such vulnerable children go through whenever they are abused.
Presently, social media has been awash with news of different forms of violence against children. Ranging from sexual, emotional, physical abuse, and neglect. This development is not only saddening but also tears at the moral fabric of society.
When you see some of the gory pictures of abused children on social media, you would wonder where our sense of humanity has gone to…..YOU WOULD WONDER IF SOME PEOPLE ARE REALLY HUMAN.
But then, it reminds me of the famous writer, Thomas Hobbes(a founding father of political philosophy) who argued that “Man naturally is born wicked and must be civilized”.
Do you think Hobbes was right???
A recent case is one I read in a Nigerian newspaper of a supposed deaconess of a church who took in a child from a certain IDP camp.
She was arrested by the authorities for offenses ranging from starvation, burning the girl’s private part with fire, and inserting a stick into the girl’s private part amongst other gross deeds.
It was also reported that her husband was aware of her evil deeds and condoned them……Such evil acts should be condemned in all its entirety!
Just yesterday, I saw a disturbing video of a rescued malnourished child that was tied to a pole in an animal shed for two years by his stepmothers.
What surprises me is that, at a point in time, people who carry out such dastardly acts were once children too. And I wonder what could have shaped them while growing up to not only be a danger to children but to society at large.
Seriously…..What could have gone wrong?
Could it have been their parental upbringing, associates, or the society at large that shaped them to be so vile and evil-minded?
Well, I think only the perpetrators and psychologists can give us more insight…What do I know? I’m neither a perpetrator nor a psychologist.
But one fact I know is, “Children can be abused anywhere”.
At home, neighborhood, church, school, and even the playground. Therefore, there’s a need for vigilance by all as the law enforcement agencies cannot be everywhere, all the time.
Possible solutions to this life-threatening issue
The United Nations and Donor Agencies
Taking a worldwide perspective, I believe the United Nations and other donor agencies that support issues related to Child Protection have a big role to play in advocating and pushing for more Child Rights.
Though they have been doing so much, the truth is, in most African countries, the will by the host country agencies is not there. And all funds these organizations make available to the host countries do not really trickle down to curb the problem it was meant for.
The Ministry for Women Affairs
The Ministry for Women Affairs, which is almost nonexistent, should be able to serve as a focal point in fighting for Child Rights. They should be able to push the legislature for bills to be made in favor of vulnerable children in order to make their world a fairer place.
Child Protection Agencies
Child protection agencies are virtually nonexistent in this part of the world. Their impact is not felt anywhere. These agencies only react when such incidences of abuse are made viral by people on social media.
And then I ask, “What happens to the victims who do not have anybody that can help make their plight known?”
And, for how long will social media be used as the only proactive tool to advocate for victims?
In my opinion, child protection agencies should be proactive by engaging in a lot of enlightenment campaigns. And in the event of prosecution of suspects, ensure justice is served by monitoring proceedings especially in view of the weak judicial system in Africa to avoid manipulations.
Therefore, they should live up to expectations as their inaction is endangering so many children in our society.
The Education Sector
The schools have a major role to play as well. Teachers should be able to observe telltale signs of abuse on children and draw the attention of relevant authorities.
They should also try to encourage suspected victims of abuse to report such abuses to them. While doing this, a system should be put in place to also check abusive teachers.
What do you think can be done to protect children from all the looming danger that lurks all around them?
