APRIL: OUR MONTH OF THE CHILD

The month of April saw a global campaign against Child Sexual Abuse, with people all around the world garnering efforts towards putting an end to the ill globally. Facts as elicited in our previous post here prove that Child Sexual Abuse is on the increase, leaving many children at risk if the menace is not controlled.

As an institution set up with the primary goal of providing information as regards social causes, The Nineteen Initiative commenced a campaign on media platforms, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp  and physical outreaches which are still ongoing to arm as many people as we can with vital information on the topic.

To kick start the awareness month, we had a volunteer and guest writer, Tosin Folarin, a Child Sexual Abuse Exper host a series on the blog where she gave an overview of the topic, statistics to show the frequency of occurrence, potential risks factors, prevention measures and who to contact in case of an abuse.

The month also saw the publication of daily prevention tips where we used pictures to communicate risk factors and ways of preventing them. These pictures were published on various whatsapp and Instagram pages; ours and volunteers’.

In the course of the month, we trained Nigerian Youth Service Corps members (of the Gender and Servicom Community Development Service group, Eti-Osa 2 Local Government Area) on Child Sexual Abuse through qualified volunteers, Tholu Rolands and Tosin Folarin. The training was geared at providing the corps members with necessary information to disseminate in their awareness campaign held in Eti Osa 2 Local Government Area, Lagos.

The major campaign was scheduled to hold in Lagos market, Nigeria. Our volunteers set out in the early hours of 10:00 am on the 21^st April, 2018 to create awareness on Child Sexual Abuse in Lagos Market, Lagos Nigeria.

The outreach was preceded by action research carried out by our Convener, Bamise who visited the Lagos Market to conduct action research in order to find out if the outreach was necessary in the market. Research revealed the fact that most merchants brought children to the market and left them unattended at the mercy of persons present and visiting the market. Edwina, a volunteer also visited the Sexual Offences Court to discover the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Nigeria which revealed a high prevalence of the menace. We set out armed with leaflets to spread the news about the realities of child sexual abuse, the risk factors and ways of preventing an occurrence while giving contact details of organizations to reach out to in case of an abuse.

To get more details on the outreach, make sure you read our next post that wraps up the details of our Eko Outreach.

The menace of Child Sexual Abuse is real and Lovina Ashedzi, in this poem says a lot about it.

Help Me!

My innocence is being snatched, snagged and munched as snack every second.

I am like a victim of ablepsia seeking a
guide of a walking stick to be an aid to
my adulted blindness, Like an acquainted  stranger in findings to my destined   destination when I ran into this Inhuman Humans whose tooled-heart is rusted and got their tetanus infused into my virgin vein.

I was told education is the key to unlocking my padlocked-knowledge, the Teacher is the Saint  Preacher of wisdom to my soul.
This was packed and  pushed down the throat of my  mind.

But-
in knowing what the pen is,
I got a wrathed- penn-is penetrate
my "pee-way" instead.

I was told blood is thicker than water
But-

I watched my blood rip me off of my untainted mind with their finger breathing in and out of me.
They fondle with my tenderness to satisfy their hungry urge.

I am tagged a minor and a minus of a certain privilege
But-
Unknown to "Mama" I am turned into a donor of sexual pleasure, treasure in large measure.
They blind fold me with lies and threat of death if dared say it to any not to mention many.
They accuse me of being a dummy.
But I ask in a dim voice

Is my bit bitten bitterness not your doing ?

Who can hear the voice of this voiceless soul? Who sees the eyes of this blinded mortal and Who is willing to end this acquaintance violence against me?
For-
I am a Child ,a Human and
never a fuse for a use.

Assist me! Stop insisting on me please!

©️Lovina Ashedzi Emmanuel

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Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse: Tosin Folarin

Hi there! I hope you had a great week? and most importantly, a great start for a new week? Thank you for coming back on the blog an i hope you learn enough to be equipped to guarantee that more children are saved from the menace of child sexual abuse.

 

Remember how the previous post gave an introduction to what child sexual abuse is and the reality of it? (You can read it here in case you haven't read it yet). Today, i will be discussing a few tips on protection and how to guarantee that we end child sexual abuse in our environment and globally.

STEPS TO PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

1. Learn About It!

It is important that we keep our selves abreast of basic facts about child abuse such as the statistics, the symptoms, how to avoid child sexual abuse around us. Let us read about it.

2. Educate people about

A good number of people shy away from talking about child sexual abuse.​ People may not report their concerns because they do not consider it any of their business, or they do not trust child protection agencies.
Effective protection of children relies on Active Citizens reporting their concerns for a child harmed.



3. Recognize Vulnerable Children

Around us there are children who are vulnerable. Children often show us rather than tell us that something is worrying or upsetting them; so being aware of the warnings signs is vital. The presence of one or more of these factors may be an indicator that a child could be abused. Isolation, lack of support, withdrawal, children with disabilities, low self-esteem etc.

4. Be-proactive and Report.

If a child is trying to make a disclosure about sexual abuse, respond promptly with care and urgency. Believe the child (children will rarely tell a lie about sexual abuse) be supportive, assure the child that he/she will never get to see the perpetrator again, Stay calm (don’t get angry or shout at them).




Child sexual abuse cases should be reported to institutions that will ensure justice for children.  Here are some:

i. The Cece Yara Foundation
Website: www.ceceyarafoundation. Org
Toll free line: 08008008001

ii. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team
Toll free line 112
07080601080

iii. The Mirabel Center:
08187243468

iiii. Police Stations with child protection units.

For the comprehensive list of our Abuse Prevention Tips, Please visit our instagram page @thenineteeninitiative

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Child Sexual Abuse: The Face and Reality.

Child Sexual Abuse: The Face and Reality with Tosin Folarin. 

Child sexual abuse, is a form of  abuse in which an adult or older adolescent engages a child (0-18) in sexual acts. This can occur in various forms e.g. child grooming, sexting, indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc.),  or using a child to produce child pornography.

It is refuting to think child sexual abuse doesn’t happen in our community. Sometimes, when people think about child abuse, they picture an old rickety man in an abandoned building signaling on a child by the road side to come take biscuit. This is a myth! Sexual abuse doesn’t happen to the less privileged children alone.  Child sexual abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including home, school, and work. The perpetuators of this abuse are usually the caregivers (people we entrust children to; to protect and care for them) e.g. Fathers, Uncles, Aunties, House-helps, Teachers, Gatemen, neighbors etc. 

Statistics have shown that over 90 percent of sexually abused children are abused by someone known by the child or family.

 Additionally,

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys in Nigeria experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 years. 

Every afternoon, no less than 5,000 boys in Nigeria experience Sexual Violence.

61% of boys in Nigeria who experience Childhood Sex Abuse do not know where to seek help. 

84% of girls in Nigeria who experience Childhood Sex Abuse do not know where to seek help. 

20 percent of childhood rape attempt occur in school.

The effect of child sexual abuse is devastating as some can be short term some of which may include sleep disturbance, bed wetting, eating disorders. The long term effects are depression, low self-esteem,  feelings of betrayal, abnormal view of sex, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, withdrawal, propensity to further victimization in adulthood, complex post-traumatic stress disorder,  and physical injury to the child the list is endless.

A good number of people shy away from talking about child sexual abuse, perhaps we believe if we do not talk about it, it doesn’t exist or perhaps many cases has to deal with incest and we are afraid of bringing ‘shame’ to the family. Whatever the case may be we need to talk about it. We need to take report.

As active citizens we have a role to play in curbing child sexual abuse. It is our responsibility to ensure that every child in our environment is safe and free from child sexual abuse. It is our role to ensure that every child enjoy their childhood without been sexually abused.

How can we ensure this? What is our role? Who will save the child? These and many more questions will be answered in the next series. 

About Tosin Folarin.

Tosin Folarin is a Child's  Rights Advocate who works hard to ensure that childhood is not disrupted by abuse or any form of injustice to the child. She is a Child Helpline Counselor with Cece Yara Foundation, a leading Non Profit Organization specifically designed to end Child Sexual Abuse.
Tosin is a volunteer par excellence who has dedicated her youth to serving humanity by volunteering for worthy causes. She is a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) where she creates awareness about the SDGs in secondary schools.
She is an Education Advisor with Titivator Hub where she does research, advocacy and book drives for Internally Displaced Children in Durumi camp, Abuja.
Previously, she served as an  International Citizens Service volunteer with VSO where she bagged the National Volunteer Award (2016) in the United Kingdom. She supported an agricultural project through training of farmers in the Cocoa value chain, adult literacy facilitation, business skills training and mentoring among others.
In her free time, Tosin writes on social issues and supports campaiigns aimed at making the world a sustainable hub for human existence.

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.


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THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

People Rising, Planet Rising #2

Hi there! Thank you for coming back on the series. Last week I highlighted the need for climate action by everyone. This week I discuss innovative ways we all can work for the people and planet in our local communities.

First, we can engage our communities using our talents. Through creative activities like acting, singing, writing, painting, playing a musical instrument or even spoken word poetry, we can use our talents to pass across the message of sustainable living. Perhaps by making up a song about how we can care for our environment, plant trees and conserve energy, or simply writing a drama script about it. As young people, we have the power to engage our communities and get them to listen to us. We should use this opportunity to spread the word.

Second we can design. This is where our creativity, tact and handcrafts come in. Graphic designs, artworks, and eco-friendly building models can go a long way to advocate for sustainable life for people and planet. We can construct cost-effective, energy saving models or design eco-friendly art and fashion or make graphic designs that convey a message about a green planet.

Third, as young people, we can invent. Our science lessons should not go to naught at this point. So while we learn in our science, engineering and tech classes, we must ask ourselves what new thing we can build or develop that will aid sustainable living. It could perhaps be an application that tells when carbon emissions in a room are going too high. It could be that simple. And when we do that, we can start by sending it to neighbours and friends in our locality. Thus, through our inventions, we can work for sustainable living.

Fourth, we can use social media. As young people social media is a viable tool but we must use it innovatively. From wherever we are, a tweet a day about sustainable living, a Facebook post, or an Instagram image can help raise awareness about our responsibility to each other and our planet.

Finally, we strengthen each other through partnerships, thus we can start clubs in our localities. It could be a novel one or an existing organization who gives a license to start one. For instance, a Tunza Eco-generation club where young people in the community meet once every week and talk about Tunza ideals, share ideas, and carry out activities in line with sustainable living would do a lot of good for one community.

So in the words of US President Barack Obama at the Georgetown Address in 2013, ‘the question now is whether we (young) people will have the courage to act before it’s too late. And how we answer will have a profound impact on the world that we leave behind not just to us, but to our children and our grandchildren.’

I hope our answers are positive. Mine is.

 Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

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People Rising, Planet Rising.

                                         

People Rising, Planet Rising by Caleb Adebayo

Once upon a time, life on planet earth was not faced with the many challenges it is faced with today. Once upon a time, we did not have to be conscious about every action we took because it could reduce the chances of the planet’s survival. Today is definitely not that time. That time is long gone. Today is a struggle for our planet and people, and we are all part of this struggle. All of us.

According to the World Widelife Fund, We are facing the biggest environmental challenge 

our generation has ever seen. No matter what we are passionate about, something we care 

about will be affected by climate change

In 2009 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference in Copenhagen, emerging countries put up an attitude of nonchalance when issues of climate change, global warming and greenhouse gases emissions were broached. Their argument was that the developed countries should take responsibility to combat climate change effects since they were the ones responsible for the current level of emissions. A refusal of these countries to individually take responsibility for a problem that concerned them too affected the emergence of a vital climate change agreement that year. This attitude should not be the reaction of young people today as the concern for people and planet is everyone’s concern. It has long stopped being the business of the United Nations alone and has become our individual businesses. We have to own it. Every young person has to own it. So the question is, how? And what can we do to act for it?

Acting for ‘People and planet’ simply refers to sustainable living. Life on earth is about people living on a planet. It is more than that today though, it is about living to sustain ourselves while sustaining the planet too.  It is about ensuring that our prosperity and development are not antagonistic to our survival, our health, or our planet, that we live peacefully and divert the resources and energy we use for war to fight poverty and fund activities for sustainable development. This is what we mean when we say ‘for people and planet.’

In the next post, I will  explain five ways I believe young people of all ages can innovatively work for people and planet in their local environment.

Please be sure to read the next post to learn exciting ways through which you can take action for the planet.

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

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Language and Dispute Resolution Clause.

 Disputable Me series #2



As a passionate lawyer, I am always happy to give my retort to the statement that all lawyers are liars. In two sentences: 1) the tool of a lawyer is language with which he meanders its malleability to suit purpose; 2) truth is relative and accords itself validity with the factual realities we are exposed to per time. As smart or funny as those sentences may sound, if you take some time to read and understand them, you would conclude on the reason why your contracts must be read by a lawyer before you proceed with execution and performance.
In Nigeria, our laws are largely influenced by the English legal system; our lingua franca is the English language; most educated Nigerians have English as their first language; it would therefore be suicidal to draft and sign a contract without proper understanding of the English language. Amongst the plethora of cases that exist, Mohammed Ojengbede v M.O. Esan & Anor (2001) 18 NWLR (pt 746) 771 is very instructive on this position. The courts have expressed no doubt that the official language of superior courts of record in Nigeria is English and that if documents written in any language other than English are to be tendered and properly used in evidence, they must be duly translated into English either by competent witnesses called by the party to the proceedings who needs them to prove his case or by the official interpreter of the court.

You must therefore pay attention to the letters and wording of your contracts. They not only represent the clear intention of the parties, they also serve as proof of such intentions and would form the premise upon which enforcement of the contract can be made. It would be difficult to make amendments when a bad position has been provoked in the favor of one of the parties and usually disputes would arise from such occurrences.
Where disputes arise, a good dispute resolution clause would usually provide for the method of resolving the dispute. Litigation is the traditional way of settling dispute; it is the major hinge of the door of the judiciary. It simply entails strict application of legally established procedural methods in interpreting the law and legal principles in the resolution of disputes before a Court. While this system has its merits, the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms have become very popular as a result of the privacy, control and predictability that they permit. Even wider acceptance has been accorded to them because of the possibility of the enforcement of awards or judgments derived from the process. A great clause would list the process, usually ensuring that the parties explore, engage and extinguish all internal processes before engaging third party appointees to mediate, negotiate, conciliate or arbitrate.

The clause, would go further to set this method of resolution within a time frame. Another major distaste for litigation is the uncertainty of time involved and the long process it might take from conflict to filing and then determination by the courts and then extra time to appeal. This time factor in the clause however, represents conflict to commencement of the process of dispute resolution. The wordings would provide for how long parties should have exhausted all other options towards settling the dispute before embarking on the route of ADR.


The seat, the language and judges to sit on the panel should also form part of the draft of the ideal dispute resolution clause. It is important for you to know the place of dispute settlement; an understanding of the laws of this place and a knowledge of expertise in the particular area of trade is important during the negotiation of this clause. Interestingly, the law of contracts allows parties the right of the choice of governing law and choice of seat of settlement. This luxury does not exist in litigation, as courts’ jurisdiction vests by subject matter and or geography (i.e. the place of business of the parties or residence of the parties or where the dispute occurred). This place of settlement of disputes is what is referred to as the “seat”. Linked to this, is the language of the proceedings for settlement. Interestingly, you can by agreement decide to settle a conflicggt in Hong Kong using Spanish and applying the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce to your proceedings. The choice of procedural language informs the nature of judges that would seat on the panel.
Early communications can also be facilitated in this language towards speed and quality of dispute settlement. Where the parties speak different languages and have to resolve disputes without having agreed on a particular language, then proceedings may have to be done with an interpreter which may affect cost and duration of the proceedings.
Where in doubt of anything in your dispute settlement clause, please ask a lawyer.

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RADIO: MAN'S DAILY COMPANION

RADIO: EVERY MAN’S EVERY DAY COMPANION
Often times we fail to recognise the importance of the little pleasures we enjoy every single day until a date on the calendar is set aside for the recognition of one of such things. Even then, the pressures and pleasures of life hardly afford us a chance to truly appreciate these gifts. This is the case of the radio.

The radio has a rich history and is the result of a combination of scientific breakthroughs. It might interest you to know that it took the cumulative efforts of Heinrich Hertz, Alexander Popov, Guglielmo Marconi, Reginald Fessenden, and Edwin Armstrong to figure out how electromagnetic waves could transmit sound signals over distances. We have them to thank for their independent discoveries over decades that finally resulted in the invention of what we now call the radio. Anyway, I have no intention of boring you so I won’t go into the individual contributions of these geniuses.

As a medium of mass communication, the radio has been with us for about a century. Over the years, those boxes have provided company for many, with programming that appeals to both music and sports lovers alike, not forgetting those who just must have a daily dose of current affairs discussions.
In the case of Nigeria, the radio has been with us for decades since the advent of the colonialists. It all started with big boxes that seemed to speak without allowing for feedback. As a result, they earned the name Asoromagbesi from Yoruba speaking Nigerians in the western region. It can be literally translated in English as “He who speaks but does not expect a reply”; a fitting name for those contraptions that brought them information about colonial activities but never allowed for feedback.

The radio has since evolved and now provides an extensive assortment of programmes. In previous years, it was only used to broadcast news; public service announcements; educational, sports, and current affairs programmes; as well as the occasional announcement of important national events, a perfect example is the attempted coup of 1976 where the daily broadcast was interrupted by the following announcement:

“Good morning, fellow Nigerians. This is Lt. Col B. Dimka of the Nigerian Army calling… Murtala Mohammed’s deficiency has been detected. His government is now overthrown by the young revolutionaries… Curfew is imposed from 6am to 6pm. Thank you.”
Now, Nigerians are treated to talk shows, music countdowns, dramas, discussions, and lots more. Broadcast belts are made more engaging with early morning, midday, and drive time shows. The radio basically accompanies listeners throughout the day and serves them some sort of entertainment with from dusk till dawn. Perhaps it is as a result of its versatility and relevance that the radio has withstood the passage of time, with a digital version now made available to listeners.

One of the intrinsic qualities of radio broadcasting that makes it so special is its accessibility. Listeners can access information and entertainment wherever and whenever just by tuning in; be they in the farthest of villages or late into the night and even in times of emergency as expounded by the United Nations while commemorating the World Radio Day in 2017. The radio also allows for passive and active listening and that is why it has become a favorite companion as anyone can listen while carrying out other tasks; be they in the office, in their cars driving home, at home doing chores, and so on.

Personally, the radio wields the power to draw me out of the dreariest of moods as it has done several times in the past. For me, the magic was once delivered through the waves by the duo of Freeze and N6. Others such as Jones Usen, Dan Foster, Olisa, Femi Obong Daniels, IK, Toolz, Emmanuel Etim, Toke Makinwa, Mazino, Yaw, Shola Thompson, Folu Storms, and many others have become household names by delivering awesome radio experiences to numerous Nigerian listeners over the years.




It is as a result of these qualities and abilities that I can say without mincing words that the radio is a powerful tool for communication. It has provided and continues to provide education, information, entertainment, and company for all – young or old, rich or poor, educated or not. The radio is one of the greatest inventions of all time and we must be grateful for its birth.

The importance of the radio cannot be over emphasized in the face of globalization and its attendant effects. There is an indispensable need to have information on global issues at all times and at all places as global awareness is impossible where information is unavailable or access to it is impeded, it is the starting point for taking guided steps towards a sustainable global future.

If you are reading this and are in any doubt, a simple scan through the frequencies on our band will
provide you an interesting array of channels that satisfy whatever listening desire you have. And if you are already an ardent listener, isn’t it time for your daily dose of radio? On a day such as this, when we recognise the numerous contributions of radio to our civilization, why don’t you take a break, sit back, and have yourself a listening treat. Allow me to welcome you to the remarkable experience that is Radio. You’ll thank me later. ;)

This post was written in commemoration of the World Radio Day 2018.


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