The Lagos State Chapter of Child Protection Network has warned parents, guardians, others against child right violation in the state.
This is coming as the state chapter of the UNICEF initiatives child rights group announced its maiden edition week at a press conference on Monday.
Speaking at the programme, the state Coordinator of CPN, Aderonke Oyelakin said most parents and guardians violate the child rights laws because they are ignorant of it, adding that the group was positioned to ensure mass awareness of the situation during the event.
“Most of the children do not know they have rights and this also applies to most parents that are violating the rights of their children innocently. And because of this, CPN wants to ensure every child and parent/guardian has the needed information; to collectively protect the rights of children in Lagos State.
“Base on our findings, the most common types of abuse of children recorded over the years include Physical Abuse, Neglect, Child Labour, Child Defilement, Emotional Abuse, Child Marriage, Child Trafficking, etc.
“As a body that is so much concerned about the children, we, however, intend to solve this menace that is eating into the future of our children by increasing awareness at the grassroots for them to know the dangers of abuse of children and its impact on the children and the entire society. And in doing this, we are engaging all stakeholders which include: the children, teachers, law enforcement agencies, ministry of education, ministry of justice, ministry of youth, and social development amongst others on the need to work collectively to end all forms of violence against children in Lagos State.”
While giving explanations on the array of events lined up for the CPN week, Oyelakin hinted that “there will be Free Tests Screening and Talk on Tuesday, November 16.”
“On Wednesday, November 17 and Thursday, November 18, there will be a massive Sensitization on Child’s Right Law (CRL) across the 20 Local Governments in Lagos State. On Friday, November 19, there will be a Stakeholders Conference at our secretariat located at Bimbo Odukoya Foundation,12, Industrial Estate Road Ilupeju Lagos. And on Saturday 20th November 2021, we will be having an Awareness Walk at the same venue,” she added.