NGO Tasks Govt To End Violence Against Children

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

A non-governmental organization, Kids and Teens Organisation has called on government and all other stakeholders to create a safety-net for girl child development in Ondo state.

Children With Special Needs In A School (Photo File)

Mr Martin-Mary Falana, the Executive Director of the organization made the appeal at the weekend during the sensitization seminar on International Day of the Girl Child, theme, “Chaste and Equipped” held at Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure.

According to him, Falana said that its time for the government at all levels to take action in order to end violence against children, especially girls child.

He equally implored all and sundry to invest in the education and acquisition of skill for girls to set them on a path to achieve their full potential in their future career and remove all the gender barriers on their paths to joining A Skilled Girl Force.

Falana said, “the Girl Child has is most hit with the prevalence of all forms of violence against children. Their physical development from puberty has made them more vulnerable as a result of lack of sex education by their parents.

He also called on the religious and community leaders to device an avenue to sensitive and train parents of teenagers and girls on how to start teaching their children especially the young girls on sex education early enough before they become prey to predators.

He posited that developing a skilled girl force requires a multi-sectorial engagement with the law enforcement agencies, the government and the community saying that there is a high prevalence of violence against children in Nigeria approximately 6 out of every 10 children experience some form of violence.

Falana therefore tasked the Ondo state government to develop it own specific action plans to address violence against children and particularly girls.