day make them active citizens. Using a variety of creative approaches, the children use the Children’s Parliament to inform and educate other children and adults – including their parents, teachers, representatives of the private sector, officers of local and state governments, and local and national politicians – about their issues and concerns. Although the Children’s Parliament cannot make law, it helps leaders to develop a consciousness of issues that affect children. The Children’s Parliament has helped to advance democracy and good governance in Nigeria. It has been inaugurated in 12 states, was instrumental in passing the Child Rights Act into law in 11 states, and is continuing to campaign in the remaining states to pass the Child Rights Act. 387. In some states where the Children’s Parliament has not been established, young people lack a forum in which to air their views. In those states where the Children’s Parliament does not exist, the CRM heard that the youths hardly get a chance to be heard or to really express themselves, although the constitution has made provision for freedom of expression. In addition, the few youths who do get the opportunity to be heard are only youths whose parents are in government. This tends to create tension among those youths who need to be heard but do not get the chance. 388. Child marriages are rampant. Traditional practices such as the sale of young girls into marriage are still reported in Nigeria. The CRM heard allegations that poor families sold their daughters into marriage as a means to supplement their incomes. In addition, these cultural and traditional practices impact negatively on female enrolments at educational institutions. This challenge should be addressed and a roadmap drawn for actual measures to curb this practice. iii. Recommendations 389. The APR Panel recommends that: • Nigeria make a deliberate effort to finalise the domestication of the CRC and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in all states, as well as ratify and domesticate other conventions relating to the rights of children and young persons. (Federal government and federal states) • The Child Rights Act receive full support through the passage of parallel laws by those states that have not yet done so, including a programme to fully publicise the provisions of the act, especially to guide parents and authorities that implement juvenile justice. (Federal government and federal states) • A deliberate effort to educate girls, especially in states that infringe on their rights, be made, in addition to the combating of harmful practices that discriminate against the girl child. (Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development) • The Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act be fully implemented. (Ministry of Education) 131