Nation
Intensify Efforts At Tackling Violence Against Children, Okei-Odumakin Charges FG
President, Women Arise for Change Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Initiative has charged the Federal Government to massively step up its efforts to tackle violence against children.
Okei-Odumakin gave the charge in a statement on Monday in Lagos.
The group president also urged the Nigerian government to do more to tackle the entrenched causes of violence against children.
She advised they addressed the social and cultural attitudes, sexual abuse which was so much prevalent now.
She added that gender discrimination, poverty and humanitarian crises must be knipped in the bud.
“At the same time, it must pay far greater attention to new and emerging challenges caused by armed conflict, violent extremism and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Women Arise is calling on the government of Nigeria to massively step up its efforts to tackle violence against children.
“We welcome the fact that Nigeria is one of 12 African ‘pathfinding’ countries recognised by the UN-led Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.
“For their commitment to raising awareness, stimulating leadership, galvanising action and establishing national violence prevention standards. But much more needs to be done,” she said
The group president noted that they were aware of the financial constraints that African governments continued to endure in the post-pandemic economic slow-down.
Okei-Odumakin, however, noted that the group could not allow the small gains made in tackling violence against children over the past 30 years to be wiped out by failure to invest in social and child protection programmes.
She, therefore, advised government to increase funding, noting that violence against children had a significant harmful, social and economic impact on society as a whole.
“The evidence is clear as violence against children is directly related to poor educational attainment, school drop-outs, job prospects and long-term poor health.
“Long-term impacts on productivity adds massively to the cost of health and social care.
“Given the current economic uncertainty, violence prevention programmes funded by international donors and NGOs remain essential,” she said.
Okei-Odumakin, however, explained that the roots of the problems in Africa, had to do with deep-rooted traditional attitudes and practices toward children especially girls, adding that it was a significant barrier to success.
She said that volence against children would only be eradicated when Africans themselves took responsibility.
She noted that it was particularly frustrating that effective strategies, good practices and home-grown African solutions to prevent violence against children existed and had been proven to work, but were largely ignored.
According to her, global efforts to tackle violence against African children often fail to acknowledge indigenous systems of child protection which can be promoted and replicated across the continent.
“It is 30 years since the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child better known as the African Children’s Charter was adopted.
“Most African governments, including that of Nigeria are signatories to both the African Children’s Charter and the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Yet everyday, millions of children across the continent face abuse, exploitation and discrimination.
“Violence has devastating impacts on a child’s dignity, physical and mental wellbeing, development and life chances.
“Children with disabilities or albinism, those in residential care or living and working on the streets, and those caught up in humanitarian crises and armed conflict are most at risk from violence.
“While better digital connectivity and pandemic lock-downs have driven an increase in online sexual abuse, “she said.
Okei-Odumakin noted that both financial capacity and political will were in short supply.
She, therefore, urged all governments, the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to scale up investment in initiatives to end violence against children.
“Eradicating this stain on our collective conscience is one of the most important priorities of our time.”
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
