The Lagos State
government in collaboration with the United States (US) Mission in Nigeria,
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and other development partners, has
launched a campaign to end violence against children, reports NaijaAgroNet.
Performing the launch,
Wednesday, Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode said they have a clear
moral, legal and economic imperative to end violence against children, adding
that “We cannot allow the findings or the priority actions to remain on paper.”
NaijaAgroNet notes that 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, according to the Nigeria Violence against Children
Survey, carried out by the National Population Commission, with support from
UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The survey, NaijaAgroNet further reports was
presented to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General
on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais at the Lagos State launch by
the Chairman of the National Population Commission Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), revealed
that: one in two children experience physical violence; one in four girls and
one in ten boys experience sexual violence; and one in six girls and one in
five boys experience emotional violence.
The majority of children do not tell
anyone what has happened to them and fewer than five per cent receive the help
they need to recover.
“The study is a
remarkable example of how research can bring to light the hidden face of
violence against children” said Special Representative of the United Nations
Secretary General on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais. “Making
the true extent of violence visible is critical to mobilize public support and
generate steady action towards its elimination.”
At the launch of the
campaign, Lagos State announced the Priority Actions to be taken by state and
non-state actors in short-term and long-term to effectively prevent and respond
to violence against children. These priority responses were developed by a
multi sectoral Technical Working Group from the State Ministries for Women
Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Education, health, Social Welfare, Justice,
Information and the National Orientation Agency, Prison Service, Police, Civil
Society, Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and
Faith Based Organizations.
“While national level
commitments are important, how these commitments are translated into action at
state, local government area and ward level is critical” says Ms. Jean Gough,
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria. “UNICEF congratulates Lagos on setting an
example for the rest of Nigeria. We hope that where Lagos has led the way,
other States will follow.”
“We have made
progress in this fight but much still remains to be done” added U.S. Embassy
Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim, Maria E. Brewer. “All children must be protected
from abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect. Violence against children is
never justified. Violence is preventable.”
Nkemdilim Nweke/GEE
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Pic: (R -L) Hon
Sanni Eshinlokun - Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly
(representing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode), Dr. Howard Kress - US Centers for
Disease Control, Mrs. Lola Akande – Commissioner Lagos state Ministry of Women
Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms. Marta Santos Pais – Special Representative
of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence against Children, Eze
Duruiheoma (SAN) – Chairman National Population Commission, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode
– Wife of the Executive Governor of Lagos state.
