Women lawyers in Edo launch advocacy for children

The Federation of International Women Lawyers also known as FIDA in Edo state has begun a sensitisation for children on their rights and protection the society.

Operating through The Advocacy Committee the Chairman of FIDA, Mrs Florence Okundaye said they would continue to seek for better protection and treatments for children in the society.

Okundaye led some of her colleagues to schools in Benin City yesterday to raise further awareness and sensitization on the need for the child to be protected from series of abusive attacks they are most often made to face. “Today, so many of our children are ignorant of the law. Some don’t even know their rights are being abuse.

“And, it is the duty and responsibility of the parents, guardians and the society to protect the child at all cost. Some of them are not even aware that there is something called Child Right Act in Edo State because very many of them have been subjected to abuses of all shades which we can call violence against children.

“It is becoming too glaring which formed part of the reason why we have decided to take the fight and campaign to the schools so that the children will know that they have the right to complain thereafter report any form of ill treatment meted out to them, “she said.

On the motive behind the move, she stated: “ The series of reports of sexual molestation, drug abuse and indicipline gave us the impetus to embark on this sensitisation campaign as the attacks have become a huge threat to our society. We have passion for them. They remain the beauty of the society and there is every need to guide and protect them.”

She said over 30 schools were visited by the group to preach sensitisation for the children.

She called on the government and other relevants non profit making groups to rise to the occasion thereby calling for partnership to support their efforts as it is not only they who can fight the menace posed by this recurring decimal.

The children were also told to exhibit traits befitting them as disciplinary measures remain part of the corrective means through which they can be well guarded.‎