Cross River has reiterated its commitment toward ensuring smooth implementation of the state child rights law to promote and upheld the dignity of children.
The state commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom gave the assurances in Ogoja while declaring open a two day capacity building workshop for members of the state child rights implementation committee in Ogoja.
She solicited for robust synergy with critical stakeholders within the children advocacy space in curtailing the disturbing rate of child abuse in the state and beyond.
Idema revealed that capacity building workshop themed: “Child Rights,Child Labour Laws, and Protection and Remediation Programme was to equipped stakeholders with the basic rudimentary knowledge of the law to enhance effective implementation.
Commissioner Irom posited that effective collaboration was imperative to guarantee optimum results in enforcing compliance to protect the dignity of vulnerable and indigent who constitute soft targets for abusers.
According to her ” As a state,we are disposed to deepening existing ties and exploring new partnership in our quest to battle the monstrous challenge of child abuse”
“Today, we are confronted with the menace of pedophiles and sodomites with penchants for sexual exploitations of children. This is a disheartening misnomer confronting us.
” It’s therefore obligatory on the government and well meaning individuals to collectively confront this menancing threat facing our children. We can’t not longer stay aloof while the abnormality escalate”
She disclosed plans by government to tackle the challenge of street children roaming the streets of Calabar describing the menace as time bomb waiting to explode.
In her welcome address, Field Operations Officer Manager,Save The Children International Ogoja Field Office, Oluseyi Abejide said the group opted to float the workshop as demonstration of its commitment toward securing a better society for the children.
In her words” Save The Children International is a leading global independent organization with prime focus on mental,educational, menstrual hygiene and medical well-being of the children to minimize infant mortality rate in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue,Taraba and Plateau.
“We are committed to working with government and other stakeholders in addressing the root cause of child abuse especially in cocoa producing areas, protection of children in IDPs camps,educating the girl child on menstrual hygiene as well as provision of sanitary pads to assist indigent girl population in our society who can’t afford sanitary pads ‘
In an overview, human rights activist and principal counsel,Basic Rights Counsel Initiative,a leading partner in the scheme,James Ibor Esq called intensive awareness,teamwork and robust understanding of the Child Rights Law to enhance smooth implementation of the law.
The event featured interactions, questions and answers as well as playlets