Lagos State Kicks off Campaign on Violence Against Children
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode |
The government launched the Kagos state priority actions on violence against children in collaboration with the US Mission in Nigeria, UNICEF and other development partners yesterday at the Federal Palace Hotel Lagos
The Lagos state governor Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode called for action to put an end to the menace of violence against children in the state and reeled out both long term and short term actions that will be used to effectively combat child violence in the state saying,
“We cannot allow the findings or the priority actions to remain on paper,”
Ambode said the state and the nation as a whole had a clear moral, legal and economic imperative to end violence against children.
The governor was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanni Eshinlokun.
Speaking at the, UNICEF Representative, Ms Jean Gough, in appreciation of the action of the Lagos State government fight against violence against children said, “We hope that where you have led the way, other States will follow.”
Also speaking in support of the Lagos action plan, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, Maria E. Brewer, said: “We have made progress in this fight but much still remains to be done. All children must be protected from abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect. Violence against children is never justified. Violence is preventable”.
Survey presented by Chairman, National Population Commission, Eze Duruiheoma, to the Special Representative, UN Secretary General on Violence against Children, Ms. Marta Santos Pais, Millions of children suffer violence every year in Nigeria- approximately six out of every 10 children experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence before the age of 18 years.
One in two children experience physical violence; one in four girls and one in 10 boys experience sexual violence; and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence.
In response the Special Representative Santos Pais “The study is a remarkable example of how research can bring to light the hidden face of violence against children,” Santos Pais noted.
Nigeria Violence against Children Survey, was carried out by the National Population Commission, with support from UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
President Muhammadu Buhari, last year launched the National Year of Action to End Violence against Children.
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