Women, human rights activists, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), security officials, religious leaders and media practitioners have called for collective action to end child violence, abuse and other forms of gender-based violence affecting children in the South-East region.
 
At a town hall meeting with the theme “Nwa bu Nwa” (every child deserves protection), packaged by an Enugu-based broadcast station, Afia TV, as part of the 2026 Women August meeting, the stakeholders decried the increasing rate of child abuse, molestation, and rape, among others, meted out against children in the region.
 
The town hall, which was convened to examine the realities surrounding violence against children and vulnerable domestic staff in the communities, understand existing prevention and response mechanisms, and develop actionable commitments towards strengthening protection for children.
 
The participants stated that violence in the home and against children had continued in the South-East because “our people have continued to feel unconcerned that it is not their business.”
 
“That is where we will encourage people that when they see something, they say something. No child should be left uncared for, no matter where he or she is coming from,” they said.
 
The stakeholders also stressed the importance of speaking out when children are abused rather than allowing cultural, family or community considerations to suppress complaints.
 
The discussion is coming against the backdrop of continuing concerns over violence against women and children in the South-East.
 
Participants at the August meeting therefore called for stronger collaboration among women’s organisations, traditional rulers, government agencies, schools, religious organisations and community groups to prevent child abuse and ensure that victims receive protection and justice.

They also emphasised the need for parents to maintain close supervision of their children and to investigate carefully any arrangement that involves sending children to live with relatives or others.