Edo govt pledges to end violence against children

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The Edo state government has adopted the reviewed draft copy of manifesto towards ending violence against Children (ENDVAC) across the state.
The document is a compendium of the regulatory framework that seeks to prioritize the rights of Children in the state irrespective of backgrounds.
Edo state Commissioner for Women Affairs and social Mobilization, Mrs. Madalene Ohenhen accepted the proposal and validated it at the end of an exhaustive debate by policy-makers on the corrected copy of the document.
She assured that the exercise which began in June this year, would be presented to the state governor, Godwin Obaseki for launch after all necessary consultations are concluded.
According to Ohenhen, the initiative would among others, domesticate, prioritize and strengthen system for effective and response to all forms of violence against Children in the state when it becomes a law.
The ENDVAC project, is an initiative of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and social Development with the support of Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihood and Empowerment (SMILE).
The project seeks to promote and provide support for Children through the various help centres at designated care centres including the Nigeria Police Force, Prisons, the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition.
Other centres, are the, Anti Human Trafficking unit, the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Civil Society Organisations, the Media among others to assist Children whose Rights have either been physically or sexually violated.
Earlier in his presentation, the Consultant for the development of ENDVAC in Edo, Mr. Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, attempted to ride-out the misconception and importance of Data collation as well as interpretation to make violence against Children (VAC) succeed in Nigeria.