By Omolara Akintoye
From Left: Barr. Dorcas Aderemi of PrincipalFamilyLaw.ng; Rtrd. Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor; Director, Domestic Violence Unit, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo; Commissioner for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji-Dada and some parents at a One-Day Awareness Program for Parents on Curbing Gender Based Violence in Lagos State tagged ‘Equality Starts in the Family and held at Lagos Chambers of Commerce & Industries (LCCI), Ikeja, Lagos
Lagos State government has stressed the need for more enforcement in the protection of the girl and the boy child thereby grooming a sane society and having a formidable future for the younger ones.
This was said by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Cecilia Bolaji-Dada at a 1day Awareness Program For Parents on Curbing Gender Based Violence in Lagos State which was organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and held at Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industries, (LCCI), Ikeja, Lagos
According to Dada, who spoke on the theme ‘Equality Starts In the Family’, she lamented that most times, abuses are perpetrated by their parents/guardian, but children have the rights to be protected from violence, exploitations and abuses.
Her words “Lagos State government is particular about you being an advocate for change to curb gender based violence. Parents are their children’s confidants, book and teacher, so it is important that you nurture them to become responsible citizens in future” said Bolaji-Dada.
Dada also said that no matter the circumstance, all children have the right to be protected from violence. “We urge you not to raise the female child as a lesser being to her male siblings. Encourage the boy child to respect his sister and never beat her, no child has the right to hit each other” she warned.
Dada also urged parents never to argue in the presence of their wards, adding that argument between spouses must not become physical or emotional abuse.
“Lagos State has taken up the lead through various legal and policy framework to support the rights of the child through the Child Rights Law of 2015, Domestic Violence law of 2007 and the Yellow card for prevention of all forms of child abuse” said. Mrs. Bolaji-Dada.
The efforts of Lagos State govt. Dada pointed out is commendable. “However, there is still need for more enforcement towards the protection of women and girl-child in order to eradicate all forms of abuses” she said
Dada therefore urged charged parents not to raise female child as lesser being to her male siblings. Her words “Do not engender activities in the home, rather, treat the household chores as liberally as possible. We need to groom families to be civil to one another; no child has the right to hit the other”.
Speaking on Parental Roles in Curbing Gender Based Violence, Mrs. Yetunde Akin-Taylor, a gender Expert said training should be joint efforts between both parents. She highlighted the training to include the following: Mentoring; Originality; Trust; Hearing; Example and Responsibility.
“A child has the right to life, survival and balanced development, it is their legal rights as enshrined in the Child Rights Law of Lagos State which also have the federal Act” said Barr. Dorcas Aderemi, of Principalfamilylang
