Column: When Communities Fail Their Children

By Fatimah Bintu Dikko

Every society is built on the promise that its children will inherit a better world — a world safer, kinder, and more prosperous than the one before. Yet, as we look around today, that promise seems to be fading. The laughter of children, once a symbol of joy and innocence, is now often overshadowed by stories of pain, neglect, and abuse. When a community fails to protect its children, it fails itself. The measure of any society’s progress is not in the height of its buildings or the number of its cars, but in how it treats its most vulnerable — its children.

Across neighbourhoods and schools, it has become increasingly clear that our collective sense of duty to children is weakening. Children who should be in classrooms are seen hawking on busy roads, exposed to dangers far beyond their understanding. Many are forced into adult responsibilities much too early — not because they are ready, but because their parents, communities, and systems have failed them. The sight of a young girl balancing a tray of goods on her head in the scorching sun should provoke discomfort in any society that still claims to have a conscience. But instead, many have become used to it, even indifferent. That is how failure begins — not always with violence, but with silence.

Every child is born with the same capacity for greatness, curiosity, and growth. But environment determines how far that potential can stretch. A child who grows up surrounded by care, protection, and opportunity has a chance to thrive. One who grows up neglected, unprotected, and unseen learns early that survival means silence. Many of the social problems we face today — from youth restlessness to moral decay — can be traced back to this erosion of childhood safety and guidance.

What makes this more tragic is that most of the people who harm or exploit children are not strangers. They are neighbours, relatives, teachers, or supposed guardians — individuals entrusted with the responsibility to nurture and protect. Cases of sexual abuse and physical violence against children are increasingly coming from within homes and schools, places that should be sanctuaries. The betrayal cuts deeper when it comes from those children are taught to trust. And yet, even when these painful stories come to light, society often prefers to whisper instead of act. Families hush up cases to “protect their name,” neighbours avoid getting involved, and communities turn away. The result is a system that emboldens abusers and silences victims.

The government bears a major share of the responsibility. Many child protection laws exist only on paper. Institutions that should enforce them are underfunded or ineffective. Schools that should be safe havens are understaffed, under-equipped, and sometimes unsafe. Social welfare offices are often overwhelmed and inaccessible. The system needs to do more — not just in creating laws but in making sure those laws work. It is not enough to pass child protection acts; there must be commitment to implementation. Those who violate the rights of children must face real consequences, not quiet settlements.

Beyond the government, however, the role of communities cannot be overstated. It truly takes a village to raise a child — but today, that village has grown distant. Parents are overwhelmed by economic hardship, struggling to make ends meet. Neighbours no longer look out for one another. Religious and community leaders sometimes preach about morality but turn away from uncomfortable truths. If we are to reclaim the future, we must first rebuild that sense of shared responsibility. Every child in our neighbourhood should be seen as our child. When we hear a child cry behind closed doors, when we notice signs of abuse, when we see neglect — silence must no longer be an option.

Education remains one of the most powerful tools for prevention. When children are educated, they gain awareness of their rights and the courage to speak up. When parents are educated, they understand the harm of practices like child labour and early marriage. When teachers are trained, they can identify and report cases of abuse. Knowledge creates a culture of accountability. That is why every effort to combat child neglect must include strong investments in education — not just for children, but for the adults responsible for them.

Community-based organizations and passionate individuals are already doing commendable work in this space, but they need more support. Government agencies, philanthropists, and private bodies should fund and collaborate with groups focused on child protection and welfare. These organizations are often the first responders when children are in crisis, yet they struggle with limited resources. By supporting them, we strengthen the frontline of protection.

We must also create safe spaces for children to speak. Many young victims of abuse suffer in silence because they fear disbelief or shame. Schools and community centres can serve as listening points where trained professionals provide help and counselling. When a child knows that someone will believe them, hope begins to grow again.

It is also time to address poverty as a root cause. Many forms of child neglect stem from economic hardship. Parents who cannot afford basic necessities often resort to sending children out to work. But poverty should never be an excuse for exploitation. Governments and communities must invest in social welfare programs that support struggling families, ensuring that no child’s future is traded for survival.

Above all, compassion must return to the centre of our humanity. A child should never have to beg, fear, or suffer abuse to exist. Each time we ignore their pain, we delay the progress of our society. The true wealth of any community lies not in its resources, but in the happiness and wellbeing of its children. We cannot continue to celebrate Independence or national progress while so many of our children live in bondage — to hunger, to violence, and to neglect.

As a society, we must choose a new direction. We must rebuild our moral walls and strengthen our collective conscience. Government must act with sincerity, parents must be more present, teachers must remain vigilant, and every citizen must learn to care again. Our children deserve a world that protects their innocence, nurtures their dreams, and rewards their potential.

When we begin to see every child as our responsibility, not just our relation, then we will have taken the first step toward healing. The protection of children is not charity; it is a moral duty. And when a community learns to protect its youngest, it protects its own future.

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