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NASFAT, UNICEF partner to end violence against children

By Shakira Adunola
24 November 2017   |   3:47 am
Nasru-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have agreed to join forces to eradicate violence against children from the society before 2030.

NASFAT End Violence Against Children Campaign focal person, Alhaja Ganiyat Babalola (left); UNICEF Abuja Child Protection Specialist, Dr Odebode Olasumbo; NASFAT President, Alhaji Kamil Bolarinwa, NASFAT BOT member, Alhaja Afsat Bello and National Membership Secretary, Alhaji Lukman Oseni during campaign against child abuse in Lagos.

Nasru-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) have agreed to join forces to eradicate violence against children from the society before 2030.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, President of NASFAT, Engineer Kamil Bolarinwa said, the one week enlightment programme is aimed at creating maximum awareness to end violence against children is indeed an important phase in the history of the organization for playing a significant humanitarian role in partnership with a global body, UNICEF to put a stop to a global social menace in the society.

He said NASFAT’s relevance and recognition in this campaign is hinged on shared values of the society, which places premium on the rights of children.

“For over 20 years NASFAT has been in the forefront of enhancement of the rights and wellbeing of the children through it well organized and robust Children affairs Committee manned by psychologists and professionals in counseling and early childhood education.

“We believe this new partnership with USAID and UNICEF will provide a bigger platform and opportunities to enhance our commitment to empower every child and protect them from abuse and violence,” he said

Bolarinwa said, the two organizations are holding a one week campaign due to the shocking research data from UNICEF on violence against children.” They are mind boggling and disturbing. “We cannot continue to see three in four children aged two to four worldwide experience violent disciplines by their caregivers without doing anything.

“One in three students between the ages of 13 and 15 experience bulling without reporting it, 15 million adolescent girls age 15 to 19 experience forced sex globally in their lifetime without stopping this menace. Every 420 seconds somewhere in the world, an adolescent is killed by an act of violence.

“More than any other time in our world, teenagers commit suicide a day, than any other time in history. Enough is enough together we must end violence against children,” he said.

Bolarinwa therefore urged parents to seal the emotional or social gap between them and their children due the increasing rate of crimes and vices in the society today.

The president, enjoined every individual, groups or organisations to concertedly work together to stamp out various forms of violent abuse against children in the society.

UNICEF Abuja Child Protection Specialist, Dr Odebode Olasumbo call on every Nigeria, Ministries, Agencies, States, NGOs, religious and community leaders and the media, to take action to ensure that no child suffer violence.

She noted that Survey revealed a high prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional violence in Nigeria.

“Most children do not tell anyone what happened to them and few children don’t access the help that they need to recover. Violence has a negative impact on mental and physical health in both childhood and Adulthood and perpetuates the cycle of violence, with victims more likely to become perpetrators themselves,” she said.

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