United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF) has taken COVID-19 proofed community sensitization campaign on Integrated child protection to front line traditional rulers across 17 Local Governments of Enugu state.
The campaign which was funded by UNICEF in collaboration with Enugu sate ministry of gender affairs and social development and National population Commission, was aimed at sensitizing the communities on the dangers of violence against children (VAC), Ending violence against women and children, the need to increase Birth registration services, Reduce the spread of COVID-19 and child protection
The UNICEF Chief of field office Enugu ,Ibrahim Conteh ,while flagging off the campaign at the palace of the Traditional ruler of Nike “Igwe Julius Nnaji” said that UNICEF was moved because of the high prevalence of Violence against children under the age of 18 years.
Conteh, who was represented by UNICEF Child protection specialist, Victor Nwachukwu, said that front line traditional rulers were chosen for the campaign because of their influential nature in the communities to ensure that the message penetrates into the target audience.
” 6 out of 10 children experienced some form of violence, 50% of all children experienced physical violence, 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 10 boys experiences sexual violence, while 1 out of 6 girls and 1 out of 5 boys experienced emotional violence” he noted . and appealed to the traditional rulers to assist in reducing the abuse.
Earlier a medical Doctor with the Enugu state ministry of Health who also is a member of Enugu state COVID-19 team Uche Okenwa emphasized on the need for the people in the rural areas to keep all the rules of cleaning their hands and protecting their nose and mouth with face mask to avoid contacting the various.
He said that COVID-19 is real and warned that people should stop doubting the existence of it in Enugu state, ” in Enugu state as at yesterday 14th June, 57 cases were confirmed out of which 26 were discharged, 26 are active while 5 deaths have been registered “.
Okenwa said that 18 cases were register just in two days after the market was reopened and advise people to always put their face mask in every social gatherings.
On birth registration, Unicef advised women to ensure that their new born children are registered with the National Population Commission , explaining some of the benefits to the people.
They also appealed to the traditional rulers to make stringent laws that would help to reduce the increasing rate of Rape in the society which the organization noticed that it increased more during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The traditional ruler commended UNICEF and the other partners for initiating and funding the program.
He promised to do his best in creating the awareness and making sure certain laws are made to reduce the trend. Nnaji however called on the National Population Commission to make themselves to the people at the community level.
