Introduction:
A two-day workshop was held at EEMJM Hotels Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It was attended by stakeholders from Law Enforcement Agencies, Judiciary, Civil Society Organizations, Federal Ministry of Women affairs & Social Development, State Ministry of Women Affairs, Education Officers etc.

The objectives of the workshop are:
1. To alert the stakeholders on the dangers of childwitch stigmatization.

2. To re-direct the thinking and perception of the people to child protection and assistance particularly to victims of childwitch stigmatization.

3. To build the capacity of duty bearers on the implementation of the Child’s Right Act (CRA) as it concerns the children accused of witchcraft.

4. To accelerate the implementation of the CRA in states that had passed it into Law; and also to deliberate on the theme “Child’s Right Act as a veritable tool to combat all forms of violence and abuse against children”.

I. The phenomenon of childwitch stigmatization and abuse was acknowledged to be a reality and gross abuse of the right of the child. The participants were of the opinion that it portrays the state and the nation at large as being backward.

II. The workshop identified the following challenges as obstacles to restoring the right of the child and eradicating the problems of childwitch stigmatization. Solutions were proffered to ameliorate the situation at hand and consequently eradicate the problem.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SALIENT CHALLENGES HIGHLIGHTED BY PARTICIPANTS.
1. Lack of trust between Law Enforcement agencies and the complainants.

2. Fear of reprisal attacks hinders witnesses from testifying.

3. There is a general superstitious belief in witchcraft amongst the populace in Akwa Ibom state including the duty bearers.

4. Legislation on childwitch stigmatization is insufficient

5. The legislation needs to be clear and unambiguous.

6. The populace in Akwa Ibom State needs far-reaching sensitization on the issue of Childwitch Stigmatization.

7. Lack of awareness on the existence of Family Courts.

8. Bias of Duty Bearers impedes investigation and prosecution of the childwitch stigmatization cases.

9. Some Duty Bearers are not well trained and equipped for the protection of children accused of witchcraft.

10. Lack of psycho-social support to the victims by the relevant agencies.

11. Lack of family support programme for the families of the victims and the endemic communities that are ravaged by poverty.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Training of duty bearers in the specialized units responsible for Child Protection and equip them with counseling and investigating skills to secure and protect evidence while not compromising the confidentiality of complainants.

2. Promotion of education and critical consciousness of the general public. This will help dismantle all negative superstitious beliefs like witchcraft.

3. The Child Right Law should make a clear provision defining witchcraft to avoid ambiguity.

4. Stakeholders should engage in aggressive campaign and counseling of those at the grassroots on the dangers of child witchcraft stigmatization.

5. Members of the public should be encouraged to regard it as a national duty to report cases of accusation of children as witches.

6. Increased partnership between Government and NGOs in fighting the menace of child witchcraft accusation and related offences in Akwa Ibom state.

7. Engagement with the Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) to sensitize their members on the dangers of stigmatizing children as witches.

8. Speedy disposition of cases involving children in all courts.

9. Duty bearers to exhibit professionalism when handling matters concerning children accused of witchcraft irrespective of their personal belief and bias.

10. Provision of psycho-social support for victims and their families