Child Development

INTRODUCTION

The Child Development Department was created in 1993 in the then National Commission for Women (NCW), which metamorphosed into the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in 1995.

MANDATE

• The Department is charged with the responsibility of handling all matters relating to the total well-being and development of the Nigerian child.
• It provides an enabling environment that will ensure the holistic development of the potentials of the Nigerian child through well-articulated policies, projects, and programmes that would enhance the quality of his/her life and enable him/her to contribute towards national development.

STAFF STRENGTH

Presently, the Department consists of One Hundred and Sixteen (111) staff and four (4) Corps Members.

FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

• i. Policy Formulation, Development and Review of issues relating to the development of children;
• ii. Carries out intervention programmes to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation;
• iii. Promotes Early Childhood Development and Ending Child Marriage;
• iv. Coordinates intervention programmes and Monitoring of Child Care Institutions, Orphanages, Alternative Care;
• v. Conduct Rescue mission and Family Re-union;
• vi. Promotes the participation of children in leisure, recreation and Commemoration of National and International Days for national development;
• vii. Coordinates activities of the Nigeria Children’s Parliament and International exchange programme;
• viii. Promotes Child care and survival services through Nutrition sensitive intervention programmes;
• ix. Managing Data and Information (Database) on children-Established VC Data Situation Room;
• x. Coordinates intervention programmes and provide care and support to vulnerable children;
• xi. Provides Case Work, Guidance and Counseling services;
• xii. Carries out Re-certification of Child Adoption and Fostering;
• xiii. Management and Coordination of Model structures for child development(popularly known as Crèche);
• xiv. Coordinates Nigeria Country Periodic Reporting obligations on children’s issues to the United Nations and African Union;
• xv. Coordinates Capacity Development, Training of Child Social Workers, Managers of Orphanages and Child welfare institutions;
• xvi. Promotes social health care intervention programmes for healthy living, adolescents reproductive health, Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management and campaign against substance abuse;
• xvii. Collaboration with MDAs, Development Partners, CSOs and private sectors.