Abuse
The Enugu State Governor’s Wife, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah and the Custos Care Foundation have called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to protect children against abuse, violence and aggression.
They made the call on Tuesday at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop on the protection of innocent children who are victims of aggression in Enugu.
The governor’s wife was represented by Mrs Chinyere Ugwu, wife of the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly.
She said that every child deserved an environment characterised by love, peace, security and opportunities.
Mbah, who is also the founder of the Custos Care Foundation, said many children were exposed to different forms of aggression, abuse, neglect and violence.
She added that innocent children often suffered silently from circumstances beyond their control.
“As a mother, I find it deeply painful that innocent children who should enjoy the beauty of childhood are sometimes left to bear the circumstances of violence and aggression”.
It happens in our homes, schools and communities,” she said.
She described the workshop as a call to action, urging stakeholders to identify gaps in child protection mechanisms and develop practical strategies to safeguard children’s rights and welfare.
She called on governments, parents, schools, community leaders, security agencies and civil society organisations to work together to create safe environments for children.
She also stressed the need to strengthen reporting and response mechanisms, support victims of abuse and ensure that perpetrators were held accountable.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Custos Care Foundation, Mrs Egodi Igwe, said the workshop was aimed to raise awareness about child abuse and its adverse effects on children and the wider community.
She cited the case of a 10-year-old girl from Igbo-Etiti whose relatives allegedly subjected her to various forms of abuse after she was entrusted to their care.
“We are aware of the children from Igbo-Etiti who were wholeheartedly given to their relative to care for but were rather exposed to all manner of abuse.
“But because people raised alarm, the child was rescued and actions have been taken. But that is just a single case. Many other cases are unreported,” she said.
Igwe identified sexual violence, rape, verbal and physical abuse as some of the challenges confronting children.
She also expressed concern about domestic violence between spouses, noting that exposing children to such situations could cause psychological trauma and affect their future.
In a lecture, Mr Boniface Umoh of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, called on stakeholders to tame what he described as “the monster called aggression and violence against innocent children”.
Umoh discussed the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, and its domestication through the Enugu State Child’s Rights and Responsibility Law, 2016.
He identified child marriage, sexual violence, illiteracy, exploitative child labour, female genital mutilation and harmful traditional practices, including tribal markings and skin tattoos, as issues requiring sustained attention.
He urged parents to prioritise their children’s education, particularly as the state government had made education accessible.
“If the Enugu State Government can afford to make education accessible, why should your child be hawking in the street during school hours?” he asked.
Umoh also commended the availability of functional public healthcare centres in the state and urged children to respect their parents and guardians.
He also advised the children to always speak up whenever they faced abuse or danger.
Another guest lecturer, Mr Okechukwu Ugwu, a clinical psychologist, advocated a change in the description of children affected by abuse from “victims of aggression” to “survivors of aggression”.
Ugwu said children should be involved in decisions affecting them, adding that protecting them was a shared responsibility.
He urged parents to safeguard their children and called on the society to adopt preventive measures rather than waiting until abuse occurred before reacting.
Similarly, Mrs Chidi Obeke, Coordinator of the African Women Lawyers Association of Nigeria, Enugu Branch, advocated a preventive approach to addressing child abuse.
She said the association was collaborating with the Enugu State Government through various programmes to prevent the trend.
Obeke also called on residents to promote peaceful coexistence and create safer environments for children.
At the end of the workshop, participants called for more public awareness and media engagement to help communities recognise and respond to cases of child abuse.
They also urged religious leaders to promote moral values that protect children without imposing harmful cultural restrictions.
The participants further recommended the establishment of a rapid response desk for child abuse cases and stronger collaboration among government agencies, private organisations and other stakeholders.
They also stressed the importance of involving children in family discussions and decisions affecting their welfare.
The workshop featured cultural and musical performances by schoolchildren, an interactive session and participation by pupils from schools across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State. (NAN)
