The Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has stated that they will implement the trailblazing model to combat violence against children throughout the territory.
Mrs. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary, made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday during a two-day regional meeting at the ministerial level for the Pathfinding Global Alliance aimed at ending violence against children.
The Pathfinding Global Alliance unites nations and pertinent parties dedicated to speeding up initiatives aimed at eradicating every form of child abuse by the year 2030, aligning with the objectives set forth under the Sustainable Development Goals.
The alliance offers a forum where partners can exchange data, successful strategies, and insights, along with working together and showcasing advancements.
Benjamins-Laniyi informed NAN that the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat will set up the FCT Community Network aimed at ending violence against children.
She emphasized that a multi-sectorial strategy, which includes pertinent industries, will be reinforced to operate under the comprehensive support of a legal structure, ensuring successful execution of child protection initiatives.
She stated that this action aligns with the commitments of the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration towards fostering an environment where children can grow, develop, and reach their fullest potential.
She stated that regarding the Nyesom Wike FCT, “every endeavor qualifies as a capital project.”
So, it goes beyond roads and other infrastructure initiatives; it’s also about investing in women and children — the human capital project aimed at fostering renewed hope within the Federal Capital Territory.
She presented the pathfinding model and toolkit as an example of efficient use of resources aimed at eliminating violence against children. This approach sets a course toward economic growth, which in turn influences the overall GDP positively.
The secretary emphasized that greater focus will be put on implementing the Violence AgainstPersons (Prohibition) Act, which was adopted in the Federal Capital Territory approximately ten years back.
She stated that the regional pathfinding conference served as a wake-up call to activate and implement the VAPP Act, thereby enhancing child protection mechanisms within the FCT.
May 23 will signify 10 years since the domestication of the VAPP Act in FCT, and despite this time frame, there has been no implementation of the act.
We are consequently undertaking all necessary measures to guarantee the complete enforcement of the Act for continuous progress and development of children within the FCT.
“It will not be just a talk shop, but a concrete step towards profiling the 10-year existence of the VAPP Acts in the FCT and coordinating with children as principal stakeholders.
“This will enable the children to bring their ideas in driving solutions and application of the pathfinding toolkit to end all forms of violence in the FCT,” he said.
Benjamins-Laniyi emphasized that FCT initiatives prioritize both the mother and the family as a whole, highlighting that overlooking the mother could jeopardize a child’s future.
According to NAN (News Agency of Nigeria), Dr. Najat M’jid, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Violence Against Children, launched a toolkit aimed at preventing violence against children.
Mr. Simon Halvey, a Senior Economist at Cornerstone Economic Research, informed NAN that the toolkit is titled, “Building the Investment Case forEnding Violence Against Children Toolkit.”
Halvey stated that the toolkit aimed to assist member nations and participants involved in safeguarding children globally in crafting their own investment strategies to combat violence against kids.
The toolkit will empower nations to produce data demonstrating that investing in ending violence against children is not only a social and ethical necessity but also makes economic sense and is the correct course of action.
He stated that they could achieve this by showcasing the significant outcomes for children and the long-term benefits to economic growth and development that result from investments aimed at preventing violence against children.
Additionally, Mr. Asmundur Dadason, who serves as a technical assistant to M’jid, informed NAN that the toolkit will assist nations in making the necessary financial allocations to combat violence against children.
Dadason, a former minister of children and education in Iceland, added that the tool kit would significantly help in addressing the investment drought in child protection.
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