{"id":8922,"date":"2018-02-25T00:26:19","date_gmt":"2018-02-25T00:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advocateng.com\/?p=8922"},"modified":"2018-02-25T00:26:19","modified_gmt":"2018-02-25T00:26:19","slug":"violence-against-children-edo-govt-moves-against-culprits-launches-priority-response-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advocate.ng\/violence-against-children-edo-govt-moves-against-culprits-launches-priority-response-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Violence Against Children: Edo Govt moves against culprits, launches Priority Response Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/span>By Nosa Obaze,<\/p>\n

\n

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured that the state\u2019s \u2018Priority Response Plan to End Violence Against Children,\u2019 will strengthen measures to check violence against children and protect them from abuse.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"L-R:<\/a>
L-R: Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen; Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Gladys Idahor; Chief Judge, Justice Eseohe Ikponmwen; Wife of the Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Mary-Ann Shaibu (2nd right), and other stakeholders at the launching of the Edo State Priority Response Plan to End Violence Against Children (E-VAC), at the Imaguero College, Benin City, Edo State.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0Obaseki who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, at the launching of the \u201cEdo State Priority Response Plan to End Violence Against Children (E-VAC),\u2019 in Benin City, noted that such structures were necessary to guarantee children the opportunity to contribute to national development.<\/p>\n

\u00a0He said the policy, \u201cwill check and strengthen legal framework put in place to end violence against children. I am, however, optimistic that with the E-VAC document, individuals who perpetuate any form of violence against children in the state will be prosecuted for the crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0The governor reiterated, \u201cthe state will continue to strengthen all legal apparatus put in place to protect children in the state against abuses. We will also make sure that we build a solid foundation to secure the future of our children.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWe must all explore these legal apparatus: the Family Court, Child Right Act and other Child Protection documents developed to end violence against children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Speaking at the event, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki said, \u201cending violence against children requires the collaborative effort of all stakeholders. The state government has demonstrated willingness to curb incidences of violence against children, and requires the support of other concerned stakeholders to protect these children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0Mrs. Obaseki however, commended the state government and stakeholders for supporting the development of the state E-VAC document, and urged parents to begin to shun practices that expose children to violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, said the E-VAC policy document was developed by the state government in response to findings of a national survey conducted by the National Population Commission in 2014.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Ohenhen said the document, which has input from children, will assist the ministry\u00a0in addressing cases of neglect, abandonment and all forms of violence against children from persons they ought to feel safe with.<\/p>\n

Speaker, Edo Children\u2019s Parliament, Miss Jacinta Omoregie, commended the state government for bringing relevant stakeholders together to curb the menace, noting, \u201cThe campaign to end violence against children requires global action. The E-VAC document would strengthen child protection and welfare in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n