School children in Awka attended a one-day sensitization and awareness-building event on ending violence against children, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
The event at Udoka Nursery and Primary School in Awka is a component of the Women Affairs Minister’s strategy to put a stop to the suffering of children who experience abuse.
More than ten schools participated in the sensitization and awareness-building event that was conducted in Awka, Anambra State on Wednesday.
In her speech to the students, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, stressed that raising awareness of the issue of violence against children is crucial—not because it’s a recent development, but rather because it must be stopped by teaching students the appropriate actions to take.
Barrister Kennedy-Ohanenye who spoke through her Deputy Director, Child Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Christiana Oliko clarified that, if child abuse is not addressed, the victims may experience trauma and other psychological problems.
In their various paper presentations, the Assistant Director, Child Development, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Miriam Shaibu and a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Mr Emmanuel Alhassan who took the students on Understanding Rights and Responsibilities of Children and Drug Abuse Prevention and Mental Health Issues respectively all encouraged the students to report any form of violence or abuse for immediate attention and to abstain from substance abuse, which could negatively impact their future.
The State Ministry of Women and Social Welfare officials, teachers from the several schools in attendance, and the Speaker of the Anambra State Children’s Parliament, Right Honorable Victory Ekwunife, were all present during the sensitization program.
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs’ representatives gave gifts, held a cultural dance exhibition, and hosted a quiz and drama competition with a focus on abuse against children.
