- Urge advocacy against domestic servitude, child labour
The Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Nigeria and Ghana, have expressed deep concern over the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in Nigeria emphasising that children’s rights should be respected and protected. This concern was made public in a press release issued by the Dominicans after its recent online panel discussion, which brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the issue.
According to the press statement titled, “Combating early child pregnancy: A call to urgent action,” the online forum was prompted by the disturbing statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which revealed that approximately 21 million girls aged 15-19 years in these regions become pregnant every year.
This concern is particularly timely, given Nigeria’s current economic hardship. As stated by UNICEF, over one in four young women in sub-Saharan Africa give birth before the age of 18. Although there has been a slight decline in these statistics, the Dominicans for Justice and Peace stressed that more progress is needed to address this issue.
The online panel discussion, moderated by Rev. Fr. Alexander Okondu-Ugba, OP, an expert in Early Childhood Education, featured renowned experts in the field, including Prof. Sunday Adeoye, a seasoned obstetrician and gynaecologist; Ms Ayomide Akran, Founder of Pink Diva Organization; Sheikh (Dr.) Haroun Ogbonnia Ajah, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Da’wah and Guidance Bureau of Nigeria (DGBN); and Barr. Barakatu Abdullahi, Deputy Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Ministry of Justice, Zamfara State. The forum had more than 100 persons in attendance including groups and schools like Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Gusau, Justice, Development Peace and Caritas, Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN-N), Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School Yaba and a host of others. The panellists offered profound insights into the complexities of early child pregnancy. They underscored that this problem is not unique to the Northern part of Nigeria, but rather a nationwide issue that demands a unified response.
One of the critical concerns highlighted by the panellists is the lack of proper antenatal care for pregnant girls outside of marriage. They stated that this neglect can lead to devastating complications, emphasising the need for comprehensive support systems to ensure the health and well-being of these vulnerable individuals. The press release read in parts, “The panellists offered deep insights on the causes and effects of early child pregnancy. They posited that the problem of early child pregnancy is not peculiar to the Northern part of Nigeria but all hands should be on deck in looking after our girl children who become pregnant outside marriage. “
This is because these children are often the ones who do not receive proper antenatal care thus resulting in many complications. While issues surrounding early child pregnancy is neither new nor exclusive to Nigeria, there is need for more awareness and advocacy. Since safety and medical support can only be impelled by society and family support. “ While early child pregnancy is a longstanding issue in Nigeria, the panellists stressed that increased awareness and advocacy are essential in addressing this problem. They emphasised that safety and medical support can only be guaranteed through societal and familial support, underscoring the importance of community involvement in preventing and mitigating the effects of early child pregnancy.
As the panellists reflected on the moral and spiritual implications of early child pregnancy, they issued a clarion call to action, urging all well-meaning individuals to join forces in tackling this issue. The press release signed by Rev. Fr Frederick Ifeanyi Obananya, OP., Provincial Promoter for Justice and Peace, Dominican Province of St Joseph the Worker, Nigeria and Ghana and Sr. Mary-Sylvia Ibida, OP, Coordinator, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation, Nigeria delegation, demanded a collective response, one that prioritises the restoration of human dignity and the prevention of further harm.
The Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Nigeria and Ghana, pledged their continued commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of vulnerable children and promoting a culture of values and respect for human dignity. In a bid to ensure the safety and well-being of the girl child, the Dominicans for Justice and Peace established an advocacy group in the North. The initiative is part of the organisation’s ongoing efforts to address the pressing issue of early child pregnancy and its devastating consequences. The advocacy group, in collaboration with the Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC) group of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, will embark on a series of visits to schools and communities in Gusau.
These visits aim to raise awareness about the effects of early child pregnancy and to promote a culture of values that supports the dignity and well-being of the girl child. According to the Dominicans for Justice and Peace, the advocacy group is already engaging with stakeholders to discuss the project’s implementation. This collaborative approach ensures that the project is tailored to the specific needs of the communities and schools involved. The Dominicans of the Peace and Justice group has long been committed to promoting the rights and dignity of vulnerable children, particularly the girl child.
This advocacy group represents a significant step forward in addressing the complex issues surrounding early child pregnancy and ensuring that these young girls receive the support and protection they deserve. The Africa Faith and Justice Network, in collaboration with the Dominicans for Justice and Peace, also unveiled plans to host a crucial workshop on Domestic Servitude and Child Labour at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos, on March 29, 2025.
According to the press release, the timely initiative aims to address the alarming issue of child exploitation and abuse in Lagos metropolitan. Lagos, being a major urban hub, has unfortunately become a hotspot for cases of child labour and domestic servitude. Children, some as young as 5-6 years old, are recruited from rural areas across Nigeria and neighbouring countries, such as the Republic of Benin, to work in Lagos households.
These children are often uprooted from their families, friends, and familiar environments, only to face ill-treatment and abuse at the hands of their employers. The workshop seeks to raise awareness about this critical issue and promote advocacy efforts to protect the rights and dignity of children trapped in domestic servitude. The event will bring together stakeholders, including parish communities, individuals, and organizations, to collaborate on strategies to combat child labour and domestic servitude. A key aspect of this project is the training and equipping of a select group of individuals from four parishes in Lagos to become advocates for the rights and dignity of children.
These advocates will work tirelessly to promote awareness and advocate for policy changes to prevent child exploitation. In addition to the workshop, the Dominican Sisters planned to continue to sensitise children in their schools about the issue of domestic servitude and child labour. The Sisters will also educate communities about the negative impact of early child pregnancy and child labour, promoting a culture of values that supports the dignity and well-being of children.
The Dominican family, committed to promoting justice, peace, and human dignity,urged all promoters of justice and peace, as well as members of the Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC), to join forces in speaking out against the scourges of early child pregnancy, domestic servitude, and child labour.
