FG inaugurates task force on child sex abuse

By Aisha Biola Raji

The Federal Government has set up a National Joint Task Force for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Violence against Children in Nigeria.

This is to address the growing cases of violence against children, especially child sexual abuse, rape and abduction, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina said.

The minister who inaugurated the Committee in Abuja, said this is coming on the heels of the recent terror attacks and abduction of about two hundred girls from a Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state, Nigeria.

She noted that whenever there are insurgencies or natural disasters such as flood, children become very easy targets as they are killed, maimed or abducted, adding that, “when there are economic problems in the family, children are made to hawk in the streets where they are exposed to all kinds of hazards including child sexual abuse.

“The continuous and recent terror attacks and abduction of children from schools in the North-East of the country is a clear demonstration of the extent of violence meted to the Nigerian child.

“This callous act highlights the need for government to employ a multi- sectoral approach to tackle the scourge that is eating deep into the fibre of the country.” She emphasized.

Hajiya Maina disclosed that membership of the Taskforce were drawn from MDAS and other relevant stakeholders that include; Nigeria Law Reform Commission, National Human Rights Commission, NAPTIP, Legal Aid Council, Public Complaint Commission, Ministries of Information, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Education and Health as well as the Nigeria Police, NOA, and the Christian and Muslim Women Associations of Nigeria, that have been identified as key actors in child survival, development and protection issues.

Speaking in a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of NAPTIP, Beatrice Jedy, Agba condemned the inhuman act of suicide bombers and the abduction of girls, expressing hope that all would become history soon.

She reiterated her agency’s commitment to partner with the Ministry of Women Affairs in ensuring the protection of children, especially the girl-child who is most vulnerable with a view to putting a stop the ugly scourge of violation against children in the country.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Habiba Lawal, added that the need to establish a national joint taskforce in the country was predicated on the fact that Nigeria is grappling with rising incidents of rape, child defilement and baby farming, which has not painted the country in good light.