Some children in Delta have called on governments, parents and organisations to step up efforts at addressing the increasing rate of abuse against vulnerable groups in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that vulnerable groups include children, women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, mental health issues, homeless, economically disadvantaged, among others.
The children made the call while speaking with NAN in Asaba as the 2022 Children’s Day was commemorated on Friday.
NAN also reports that May 27 was set aside as a holiday for children In Nigeria in 1964.
The day brings attention and awareness on challenges that children face as well as provides avenue to celebrate children in the country.
Some of the children decried the increasing rate of molestation against children especially the less privileged ones among them.
They stressed the need for government at all levels to help protect the rights of children in the society.
A pupil, Faith Onyekachukwu , who spoke on: ”Strengthening The Protection System For The Nigerian Child”, said that children were frequently molested, victimised and subjected to various forms of violence.
‘””Children are also abused physically, emotionally and at the long run, they are left traumatised.”
Onyekachukwu, who spoke on behalf of the children, idenfied some of the common challenges they face in society to include lack of teachers, molestation, trafficking among others.
“My peers face challenges like child abuse and child trafficking.
“We also face challenges like bullying in school and so many other violence both emotionally, mentally and physically.”
Mrs Mini Igbrude, a parent, urged parents to pay more attention to the welfare and upkeep of their children.
On his part, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, noted that the state government had put some policies in place that were targeted at protecting the children especially the vulnerable group.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Patrick Ukah, said that some of such policies included the Child Rights Law, which was already being fully implemented with the establishment of the Child Rights Implementation Committee.
Also, the passing of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition.
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The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Kevwe Agas, said: “As a state, we have laws that are geared toward the protection of children.
“But we still know that people are still silent about violence against children.”
The event featured march-past by children, cultural dance and feeding of the children by dignitaries led by the wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa.
