By Bisi Ajayi-Kayode Mrs. | CEO -The Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre
Cece Yara’s GlobalGiving Report for Q3 - JULY-SEPTEMBER 2025
Ensuring Child Protection through Community Empowerment and Legislative Advocacy
Bariga Market Awareness Outreach– In July, Cece Yara took child protection advocacy into the heart of the community through the Bariga Market Awareness Campaign, generously supported by Freedom Fund. The initiative engaged traders, market leaders, and community members, reaching over 3000 people with sensitization on the urgent need to safeguard the rights of child domestic workers. During the outreach, we underscored the importance of treating every child with dignity, respect, and fairness, while drawing attention to the dangers of exploitation and abuse. Information materials were distributed, and the Cece Yara 24/7 Child Helpline was promoted as a vital reporting channel for cases of abuse. This campaign not only heightened awareness but also strengthened the linkages between the community and existing child protection resources.
SKAP AT Redeemed Church– On Sunday 13th July 2025, the team coupled with a volunteer conducted SKAP in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Holy Ghost Center) located at Alexander Crescent Banex Wuse II, Abuja. The team facilitated the SKAP program to educate children on body safety, identifying unsafe situations, and speaking up when uncomfortable. Using interactive discussions and activities, the session emphasized refusal skills, the role of trusted adults, and available reporting channels. Pre and post assessments helped to reinforce learning and measure improved awareness among the children.
Market Awareness at Utako
The Abuja team conducted a market sensitization exercise at Utako Market under the Area Municipal Council to strengthen community awareness on child protection. During the outreach, business owners and members of the public were introduced to Cece Yara’s mission and services, including our toll-free helpline for reporting abuse and accessing support. An estimated number of 700 adults were reached .The engagement created an opportunity to build trust within the community, enlighten the public on practical steps for safeguarding children, and encourage active participation in protecting children from abuse and exploitation.
Official Launch of the Lagos State Child Sexual Abuse Investigative and Interview Protocol
After 3 instalments of a high-level consultative workshop on the prescription and adoption of the forensic interview process followed by a consensus among stakeholders within the law enforcement, justice, education and social welfare sectors, the Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice with funding from the ROLAC IDEA 11 officially launched the Lagos State Child Sexual Abuse Investigative and Forensic Interview Protocol on the 14th of August, 2025..
The purpose of the launch is to formalise the protocol, sensitise stakeholders, and reinforce the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting children from sexual abuse through a standardised coordinated justice process.
This pioneering protocol represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the child protection and justice system in Lagos State. It provides a standardized, trauma- informed framework for interviewing child survivors and investigating child sexual abuse cases, while ensuring inter-agency collaboration and survivor-centered practices.
The ceremony also witnesses the presentation of certificates for the newly trained forensic interviewers.
Advocacy Visit to the Ministry of Labour and Employment
Cece Yara alongside 3 other CSOs on the Freedom Fund organisation’s platform conducted an advocacy visit to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja. The purpose of the visit was to present key findings from the project's mapping and policy review, highlight critical gaps in the protection of child domestic workers (CDWs), and engage the Ministry on strategic recommendations for improved enforcement, and stakeholder collaboration on alleviating the plight of child domestic workers.
3HF’s CHILD RIGHTS AND SAFEGUARDING WORKSHOP
Cece Yara participated in child rights and safeguarding workshop organized by Hearts & Hands Humanitarian Foundation (3hf) funded by the Freedom Fund organization “Addressing Exploitative Child Domestic Work”. The workshop provided an important platform for stakeholders across Lagos State to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to protect the rights and wellbeing of children - particularly those vulnerable to or affected by exploitative domestic work. The event featured presentations, discussions, and the sharing of best practices to raise awareness, highlight progress made in combating child labour, and identifying effective interventions for sustained impact.
Featured on Lagos Traffic Radio "Phenomenal Woman
Cece Yara featured 3times (July-September) on Traffic Radio96.1.fm to empower the citizens on the dynamics of child protection and on responding responsibly to ensure child protection.
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OSUN STATE MINISTRIES OF JUSTICE, SOCIAL WELFARE AND PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
The Osun state ministries of social welfare and persons living with disabilities conducted a learning and inter-state study tour of the Cece Yara CAC.
This learning visit was aimed at:
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The Safe Kids Awareness Prevention (SKAP) was implemented at the RCCG Spring of Life, Ibafo, and Ogun State.
The session equipped children with essential knowledge about body safety, personal boundaries, and trusted support systems. Participants learned how to identify and confide in trusted adults, especially when feeling uncomfortable, unsafe, or threatened. The children were encouraged to speak up, understand their rights, and recognise that their bodies deserve protection, dignity, and respect.
The session was highly interactive, with active participation from the children, who demonstrated a clear understanding of the key messages. A total of 400 children benefited from the training.
SKAP AT Redeemed Church– On Sunday 13th July 2025, the team coupled with a volunteer conducted SKAP in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Holy Ghost Center) located at Alexander Crescent Banex Wuse II, Abuja. The team facilitated the SKAP program to educate 46 children on body safety, identifying unsafe situations, and speaking up when uncomfortable. Using interactive discussions and activities, the session emphasized refusal skills, the role of trusted adults, and available reporting channels. Pre and post assessments helped to reinforce learning and measure improved awareness among the children.
JONAPWD Event
On the 17th and 18th of September, the CECE Yara CAC participated in a two-day Conference on Disability-Inclusive Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response Systems, organized by the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD).
The conference aimed to develop practical mechanisms, promote inclusivity, and facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders to effectively address Gender-Based Violence issues affecting Persons with Disabilities.
The Centre also participated in a panel session titled “Mapping Existing SGBV Response Mechanisms – Effectiveness, Coordination Structure, Inclusion, and Data for Evidence-Based Intervention.
Let There Be Teachers Conference – 2025
The Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre participated in the landmark Let There Be Teachers Conference organized by 1 Million Teachers, which achieved a Guinness World Record with over 5,082 educators in attendance.
The conference provided a national platform to advocate for teacher welfare, professional development, and stronger education systems.
Cece Yara’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, served as a panelist at the event. The Centre also hosted an exhibition booth, where the team disseminated IEC materials, engaged with teachers on best practices for child protection, and conducted advocacy to promote safe learning environments.
The participating Educators expressed strong interest in Cece Yara’s resources and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that every child is safe, heard, and protected.
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Red Cross Quarterly Review Meeting
The Centre was honored to participate in an engagement session organized by the British Red Cross. The meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration among child-focused organizations, explore partnership opportunities, and share insights on programs promoting child protection and welfare.
The Cece Yara Centre delivered a presentation highlighting the center’s programme and services with the NRC onboarding the centre for referral services for its clients.
SKAP AT JSS Kubwa
On the 14th of October, 2025, the Abuja Team and Volunteers of Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre successfully carried out the Safe Kids Awareness Program (SKAP) at Junior Secondary School, Kubwa and Junior secondary School Dawarki.
During the session, we sensitized a total of 1070 students (boys and girls) on child protection, personal safety, and how to identify and report abuse.
The school principal warmly welcomed the team and expressed appreciation for the impactful session. He also pledged to work closely with Cece Yara to strengthen child protection systems within the school and ensure that all students are safeguarded from any form of abuse.
Ijesha Market and Motor Park Outreach – 10th September 2025
The Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, with support from The Freedom Fund, held a community sensitisation outreach at Ijesha Market and Motor Park in Surulere, Lagos State. The campaign raised awareness on the protection of Child Domestic Workers (CDWs) and the public’s role in safeguarding their rights and welfare.
The team engaged traders, transport workers, and community members on identifying and reporting child abuse and exploitation, while promoting the Cece Yara Child Helpline (0800 800 8001) as a confidential reporting channel.
The outreach was spanned 5000 well received, with participants appreciating the initiative and recognizing the need to protect children from domestic labour and related abuses.
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