By Murtala Muhammad
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Women, Child, Youth Health and Education Initiative, WCY, has called for the establishment of additional Family Courts across the three senatorial districts of Bauchi State.
The Executive Director of WCY, Ms Rashida Mukaddas, made the call during an advocacy visit to the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mrs Fatima Abubakar, in her office.
Rashida Mukaddas said establishing additional Family Courts would strengthen child protection and improve children’s access to justice, particularly those living outside the state capital.
She commended the State High Court for establishing a Family Court in Bauchi metropolis following the recent assent to the Child Protection Law, noting that the court would cater for children and women in the city and surrounding areas.
Ms Mukaddas explained that WCY was implementing the Adolescent Mothers Education Access, AMEA, project, supported by the Malala Fund, to ensure adolescent mothers are not deprived of their right to education.
She said providing adolescent mothers with opportunities to return to school would enable them to continue their education, develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
Responding, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mrs Fatima Abubakar, said plans were underway to establish at least one Family Court in each of the state’s six Magisterial Districts.
She listed the districts as Azare, Bauchi, Misau, Ningi, Tafawa Balewa and Toro.
Mrs Abubakar advised WCY to collaborate with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, which she described as the custodian of the implementation of the State’s Child Protection Law.