Treating cases of violence against children with laxity fuels trend – FG

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan,  called on stakeholders advocating for a stop to violence against children to treat such cases with the seriousness it deserves if the trend is to be stopped across the country. The minister who was speaking at a press briefing, themed, ‘Protect the Rights […]

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan,  called on stakeholders advocating for a stop to violence against children to treat such cases with the seriousness it deserves if the trend is to be stopped across the country.
The minister who was speaking at a press briefing, themed, ‘Protect the Rights of the Child in the Face of Violence and Insecurity: End Child Marriage’, said all perpetrators must face the full wrath of the law. 
She  said despite various laws put in place to check the trend, violence against children were still carried out at various regions in the country at an alarming rate.
Alhassan who was represented by Mrs Binta Bello, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry said the “Nigerian society is currently battling with high incidence of Violence Against Children (VAC) ranging from child rape, defilement, abduction, kidnapping and baby farming which takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, at work place and child care institutions.”
Alhassan appealed to stakeholders to commence effective implementation of their respective sector priority actions for addressing VAC for a better society.
The minister assured that vulnerable children who were majorly sidelined in the society were not left out in the interventions of the government.
“More worrisome is the issue of vulnerable children who face significant barriers to enjoying their fundamental human rights.
“They are often denied access to basic services such as health education and are exposed to discrimination as well as sexual, physical and psychological violence.
The permanent secretary, represented by Mrs Georgia Azogu, Director, Child Development, stated that the year’s Children’s Day celebration was a time for stakeholders to evaluate policies targeted at child development in the country.
“Should we as government, civil society organisations, partners and duty bearers access the effectiveness of our intervention measures in protecting our children from violence?
“This is critical in view of the alarming cases of VAC in recent times.
“We must pause and ask these pertinent questions; does it mean that our policy responses are not well designed; are we not putting enough resources into the security sector?
“Are the key interventions not well implemented; are the planning, strategies not well targeted; is the awareness, sensitisation programme not directed at the right people?”