Child safety in the society remains a complex issue involving the interaction of multiple systems across the life course. It encompasses the prevention of all types of injury: physical, emotional and psychological as well as interventions to promote resilience to harm. It is a general belief that child safety is a call to action to paediatricians, government and society in general to advocate for children who remain vulnerable and often voiceless. Once a couple gets married it is expected by the society that they procreate by bringing children into that unit of the society while the joy of welcoming these young one does not come without its responsibilities.
These responsibilities include providing them with basic amenities needed for survival like food, shelter and clothing. The responsibility does not stop there as these children have certain rights which most rest on the parents to provide for them.
For instance, they are entitled to the right to be safe, to be treated with affection, to be educated, to have medical care and to be protected against cruelty and abuse.
Parents have the duty to protect their children’s rights until they are old enough to make their own way in the world.No wonder, the scriptures say the children are heritage of God and that they are like arrows in the hand of a warrior, meaning the childen needed to be handled with care.
It is however, sad to note that in recent times these precious inheritances are being neglected and put in harm’s way by the parents who are meant to care for them all in the name of making a living thus shifting their care to paid employees. Recently incidents of drowning involving children were in the news. One was the case of death of a 3-year-old son of popular hip-hop singer, Davido, Ifeayin Adeleke who was reported to have drowned at their home in Lagos.
Not only that, another disturbing news was in May this year, when Chidera Eze, a five-year-old pupil of Redeemers nursery and primary school, Ogba, Lagos state, drowned during a swimming lesson organised by the school, just to mention a few. Many parents entrust the care of their children to total strangers to do the school runs for them which had resulted into various forms of abuses in the lives of these children thus endangering their lives.
According to the pediatric association of Nigeria, PAN, six out of ten children get abused physically, emotionally or sexually before they clock 18 years, which in turn has long term effects on them. At this point, it is imperative for parents to ensure that they create more time for their children so as to care adequately for them and shield them from any harm. It is also important to educate the children on safety tips so as to make them alert and recognize potential dangers when they see one.
In a cases where it is unavoidable to leave children in the care of a paid employee, close circuit camera could be installed in homes to monitor what is going on at home when out to fend for the family.
People with swimming pools in their homes should properly secure such to prevent any untoward occurences. Above all, parents need to make their children’s surroundings a safe haven for them at all time even when in school. On the part of the government, protective laws in existence should be implemented and stiffer penalties put in place to punish anyone who abuses or endangers the lives of children in the society.
It is necessary for professionals working with children to embrace their role as advocates, because investing in children and helping them to achieve their potential pay dividends for their future and for our society.
Oluwayemisi Owonikoko
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