Social Policy
See how UNICEF is supporting the government of Nigeria to provide social protection in Nigeria.
The Challenge
Every child has the right to survival, growth, development and participation. Protecting and fulfilling these rights requires budgets, laws and social policies that promote equity.
Nigeria is beset by high levels of disparity in terms of access to social services and income distribution. Disparities are socio-economic – linked among others to types of employment and levels of education of the parents– as well as geographic, mainly between North and South and between rural and urban areas. Gender inequality is pervasive in Nigeria, in terms of political representation, access to and control over land, credit facilities, technologies, education and health. Large numbers of people live in poverty, both monetary and multidimensional.
Solution
Design and implement more effective and equitable policies and interventions to help realize the rights of all children, and help monitor their impact.
Ensure that public finance delivers results for children, through effective, equitable and child-focused social sector planning and spending.
Build local capacity and strengthen community participation to promote inclusiveness and avoid discrimination.
Support initiatives such as cash transfers for girls’ education and in-kind support to access health services.
Support the design and drafting of bills and policies such as the Gender Economic Opportunity, Violence Against Persons Prohibition bill and national social protection policy.