On Thursday, 26th September, 2019, COFP conducted a one-day intensive training on Ending Violence Against Children (EVAC) for 40 parents/teachers/caregivers from 15 selected schools within the FCT, Abuja. The participants comprised of both male and female, across Christian and Islamic religions. The workshop which held at Top Rank Hotels Galaxy, Utako Abuja, was a response to the alarming increase rate in violence and abuse against children in our local communities, which as it were, unfortunately has seldom received adequate attention from the society. Children have rights like all human beings, and the responsibility to protect the rights of children is even more demanding because children are fragile, weak, and more vulnerable.
In our study, we found out that violence against children is not only on the increase but that most teachers, parents and caregivers do not understand the rights of children and what really constitutes violence/abuse against them. Thus, the objectives of the training were to: Identify, describe and commit to child rights; Understand the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as the Nigerian Child Rights Act; Identify what constitutes violence against children and how they are perpetrated; Understand the roles and responsibilities of parents and caregivers towards protecting & providing for children; and Develop practical monitoring and reporting mechanisms on SVAC.
The training adopted an interactive approach; as participants were exposed to the various forms of violence against children, the different environments they often take place and the different modes of perpetration. From shared experiences, participants could appreciate the spate of violence in the society and the urgent need to place more vigilance and give optimal attention to children to ensure their protection at all levels and at all times.
At the end of the day, the trainees clearly came to terms with the fact that their role as caregivers is not simply as a profession or just responsibility, as the case may be, but a vocation to be discharged with passion. Some of them even drew up placard with the inscription: “Stop violence against children” to be displayed in their various work places. There was unanimous commitment to child advocacy and to develop practical strategies for monitoring and reporting all forms of violence/abuse against children.
