By Lukmon Oloyede.
Following the recent release of the Nigerian Violence against Children Survey Report conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with other stakeholders, Lagos State Government has revealed its readiness to kick off an advocacy campaign to end violence against Children in the state.
The Director of Child Development at the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Alaba Fadairo while delivering the opening remark at a one-day media workshop organized by the State and UNICEF, disclosed that the Lagos will be launching its action plan next month, 24th of February, 2016.
In response to the call of the UN Secretary General for every country to undertake their own national surveys on Violence Against Children (VAC), Nigeria is the first country in West Africa and fifth in the continent to conduct a VAC survey.
Millions of children suffer violence every year in Nigeria – approximately six out of every 10 children under the age of 18 years experience some form of physical, emotional and sexual violence before the age of 18 years, according to the Survey.
Mrs. Fadairo said the challenge of taking the campaign to every part of the country was enormous, adding that private sector partnership was vital in achieving positive outcomes.
“Businesses are made up of people who also belong to families with children. So, everybody is involved. The truth is that government cannot do it alone. Firms need to support our campaigns to end violence against children. Such support should be part of their corporate social responsibilities because children are the future of any society,” she stated.
Mrs Fadairo said the state government is determined to support initiatives and partner business organisations and development partners to combat violence against children.
In Nigeria, Plateau, Gombe and Cross River, Benue States are expected to launch their priority actions as well this year.
The survey which which was presented by Mr. Tatenda Makoni, Child Protection Spectialist at UNICEF, shows that the majority of children who experience physical, sexual or emotional violence in childhood do so on multiple occasions. The findings shows that over half of children first experienced physical violence between the ages of 6 and 11. Approximately 1 in 10 children’s first experienced physical violence under the age of 5.
A third of girls experienced their first incident of sexual violence between 14 and 15. while almost a third of boys experienced their first incident of sexual violence at 13 years and younger. Approximately half of children first experienced emotional violence before the age of 12.
