Lagos – The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) on Monday sought for partnership with well meaning organisations, individuals and the media on the protection of rights of children.
Mrs Lola Akande, Commissioner, WAPA, made the call at a news conference in Lagos to announce the launching of the Lagos State End Violence Against Children Campaign.
The launching is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
Akande said children were vulnerable, defenseless and required the best care and support to ensure optimal development.
She expressed concern over the high rate of violence against children in the society which affected their mental, physical and cognitive development.
According to her, the perpetrators of this crime are the parents and adult relatives, as well as neighbours, teachers and strangers.
”Children are the heart of any society since they represent the future; virile children, therefore, signify a virile future.
”A survey by the National Population Commission with the support of UNICEF shows that there is a high prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria.
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”Millions of children suffer violence every year in the country, approximately, six out of every 10 under the age of 18 experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence before the age of 18.
”And for this group of children, over half had their first experience under the age of five. We need to rise up and say no to this crime by reporting cases so that perpetrators will be brought to book, ” she said.
Akande said Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration was ready to tackle this menace with the establishment of the Domestic and Violence Response Team and shelter homes for victims as well as the procurement of rescue vehicles and rape kit.
She urged organisations and individuals to support the campaign as government alone could not end violence against children in the society.
”It is time to take action against violence on children; it is a noble cause to stand for.
“It is a dignified battle to fight and together we can do it, ” Akande said.(NAN)
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