6 out of every 10 children are victims of violence – Minister

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Senator Ashia Jummai Alhassan said studies have revealed that 6 out of 10 children are victims of violence in Nigeria.

The minister said this on Monday in Abuja during the 2017 Universal Day of the Child, held at Government Secondary School Kuje, Abuja, organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with the United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) with the theme “Stop Violence Against Children”.

Alhassan who was represented by The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ifeoma N. Anagbogu said the choice of the theme is apt and timely considering Federal Government’s commitment to ending violence especially against children including child marriage.

The theme, according to her, adds impetus to current efforts in creating awareness about the ills associated with violence against children in our country.

She said, “you may wonder why we have to come to the school environment to talk about ending violence against children, this is because studies have revealed that about 6 to 10 children suffer one violence or the other.

It is also revealed that violence happens in the homes, markets, child centers and school environment; in most cases it is perpetrated by adult that are expected to provide protection for the children.

“I urge you all to note that times are changing, and issues related to violence should not be considered as taboo, they should be discussed openly to forestall other people becoming victims.

Also, note that drug abuse does not just affect your health; it affects your studies, your character and subsequently your future. I urge you to refuse any form of drugs not prescribed for you by a caregiver and discourage your friends from doing so as well.

“I wish to call the stake holders at all level to network and establish a culture of rejecting all forms of violence against children and join us in maintaining an adequate child protection network in Nigeria by informing and motivating people on how to protect their children”.

Mr. Benson Linus, the Chief Social Welfare Officer and a staff of the school, while speaking on the right and responsibilities of the child said, “children should know their right to speak and fight for it” adding that, “child duties and usefulness are to himself, the family, community’s, Nation and worldwide; this right is for both boys and girls”.

The Assistant Director of the Government secondary school Kuje Mrs. Christiana Oliko in her contribution said: “Let us break the culture of silence of violence against children”.

Emenike Joy Chidimma a student of Government Secondary School Kuje advice children to speak out when molested because if they don’t speak out it may lead to many harm including death.

Tom Okpe, Oluchi Okorafor, Abuja