Obinna Ogbonnaya
Abakaliki
The Chairperson, Child Protection Network, CPN, Cross River State, Barr. James Ibor yesterday said that research conducted across the country shows that many children have committed suicide as a result of sexual violence, sex exploitation and teenage marriage.
Barr. Ibor made the disclosure during a 3-Day Capacity Building On Child Protection Case Management and Community Dialogue for Ezza South LGA End VAC/VAWG Community Surveillance Teams organized by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development with support from EU-UN Spotlight initiative.
Barr. Ibor who is also the Principal Counsel, Basic Right Counsel Initiative said that apart from those who commit suicide, other survivals of sexual violence suffer mental depression, others incapacitated mentally while many others becomes incapacitated partially or permanently.
He noted that government at all levels cannot claim to be protecting lives and properties while children’s right are not guaranteed.
“Government cannot talk about protection of lives and properties when Universal Basic Education Act are not being implemented. Ebonyi State government must ensure the full implementation of the Child Right Law of 2010”.
Barr. Ibor urged the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary to come together and stop communities that are still promoting FGM, teenage pregnancy, and children hawking along the streets when they are supposed to be in school.
In an address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinwe Okah said that the state government Violence against persons prohibition law 2018 and the child right law of 2010 was put in place to prosecute anybody found culpable of violence against women and girls.
The Commissioner warned Traditional Rulers, Prime Minister and other community leaders to henceforth stop the settlement of any case of violence criminal in nature against women and children in their respective communities.
She enjoined them to always report such violent cases to her office for necessary action against the perpetrators adding that the State Government is resolved to prosecute any offender no matter who is involved.
Mrs. Okah urged the participants to work assiduously towards ending Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage/Teenage Pregnancy, all obnoxious practices against Women and Children, among others in the state.
She commended the EU-UN Spotlight initiative, the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF and Others who are working towards ending violence against women and children in Ebonyi State.
A community Leader, Chief Joseph Imo of Echera Community in Ezza South LGA said that as community leaders, they have severally reported cases of FGM and Violence Against Women to government agencies adding that the practice has reduced drastically in the different communities of Ezza South. Ends.
