Kola O. Odeku

Conscription and Use of Child Soldiers in Armed Conflicts

The child soldier issue in Africa is historically unprecedented both in terms of its scope and almost inconceivable levels of abuse of children. The trend is becoming increasingly apparent with non-state armed groups, most of which operate well outside of, and in flagrant disregard for, any notion of human rights or international humanitarian law. Recent evidence shows that children who start their military engagement in a support role usually graduate to becoming active combatants. Whether children participate directly or indirectly, they are placed in danger.

Female Genital Mutilation: A Human Rights Perspective

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) constitutes all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons. The practice remains an extremely complex and culturally sensitive. It involves a broad spectrum of issues such as child health and human rights standards. FGM constitutes an unacceptable violation of the rights of the girl child and adult women to their natural sexuality. International human rights covenants underscore the obligations of the United Nations member States to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights, including the rights to non-discrimination, life and physical and mental integrity. Despite the outlawing of the practice in many countries, it is still prevalent in Africa. Various human rights instruments have the potentials to prevent, stop and eliminate the practice by holding perpetrators responsible and accountable.

The Success Story and Sustainability of the Ozone Layer Recovery

Abstract Discovering that the ozone layer was depleting, a concerted international intervention has proven to produce success because the report from the United Nations is to the effect that the ozone layer is recovering. History was made when the news broke that the ozone layer which was considered to be depleted as a result of human release and emissions of harmful chemicals and substances has started healing and that it has rebound. This news is quiet encouraging and it is an indication that the cooperation and joint agreement of the world community has resulted in solving environmental problems threatening the planet earth and human existence. While the success and the gains made are applauded, the international community is admonished not be complacent; but should be more vigilant and persistent in their efforts so that the gains made thus far might not diminish. Therefore, the gains must be sustained in all aspects. More importantly, it is pertinent to point out that while sustaining the gains, it must not produce another environmental problem. It should rather be sustained and strengthened and could be used as a reference point in solving other environmental threats and challenges confronting the earth and human beings. This paper looks at the issues surrounding ozone depletion, the interventions made by the international community to solve the problem and the need to sustain the gains and success made thus far.

IMPORTANCE OF THE WELFARE FACILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE: ISSUES IN PERSPECTIVES

Welfare facilities and services for employees are i ncreasingly becoming important in organisations. Employees are a major determinant of the success of any organisation, therefore, a company’s success is not only measured by the margins and profits it declares, but also by the state of well-being of the workers. This article looks at the importance of welfare facilities and services to the workforce an d the need for an organisation to ensure they provide statutory welfare schemes and non-stat utory welfare schemes for their employees. The article accentuates the importance oimplementation of welfare schemes and the consequences for failure of implementation.

Violation of Children's Rights by Traditional and Cultural Practices and the Responses by States in Eastern and Southern Africa

This article reviews traditional and cultural practices which lead to violation of childrens rights in some of the countries in Eastern and Southern Africa and various measures taken by the States to address them. Traditional and cultural practices reviewed include female genital mutilation, initiation and botched circumcision, virginity testing and child marriages. From the review we conclude that the practices expose children to risks of contracting life threatening and infectious diseases and may lead to loss of lives. Girl children are denied the right to education which entrenches gender inequality.