Osogbo — Osun State Government has formally inaugurated the Child Protection Network that consists of non-governmental organizations that are committed to the protection and development of children in the state.

Performing the inauguration on behalf of the State Government in Osogbo, the Presiding Magistrate of the State Family Court, Mrs. Olufunke Oyeniyi who said the State Government is interested in the protection and promotion of all children in the State pointed out that Government is now ready to implement all the provisions of the Child Rights Law as passed by the State House of Assembly and assented to by the State Governor.

Responding on behalf of the members of the Child Protection Network, Mr. Chris Afred said members accepted the challenge to assist children and promised to discharge their responsibilities with the support of all stakeholders especially security agencies.

In her inaugural address, the Child Development Specialist in UNICEF B-Field Office, Mrs. Roselyn Akinroye explained that the Child Protection Network is being established in the state in order to get enough data that would document all cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children.

She explained that the group of NGOs that have been chosen have been identified for their genuine commitment as they are offering free services.

Mrs. Akinroye however assured that UNICEF would provide capacity building and equipment for them and security agencies associated with them so as to ensure their optimal performance.

She then pleaded with the State Government to make budgetary provisions for them in next year's budget estimates.

She also reminded officials of the State Government and Security agencies that the Network can only perform through their active collaboration and support and therefore called on them not to hesitate to inform UNICEF of observed structural defects needing government attention and advocacy.

In his keynote address, the Coordinating Director in the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mr. Femi Aiyedun enjoined all members of the State Child Protection Network to work hand-in-hand with the State Government and Security agencies in order to promote the rights of the children and enhance their development and future.

He also urged the people of the State to be active in protecting the lives, the health and the growth of children.

Mr. Aiyedun also explained that children are vulnerable and powerless worldwide hence the need to enforce and protect their rights.

He further explained that the Child Protection Network will examine instruments to be used in measuring and monitoring the level of the implementation of those rights which include rights to survival, development, protection and participation.

In her goodwill message, the Speaker of the State Children's Parliament, Hon. Hannah Olaleye explained that the Child Rights Law is to make children know their rights and make parents to understand and observe those rights.

While lamenting that there are some children who are still ignorant of their rights, she pleaded with the Child Protection Network to assist in stopping the abuse of their rights including trafficking of under-aged children.

At the end of the inauguration and one day meeting, the participants urged the state government to make the Child Rights Law fully operational through advocacy, public enlightenment and enforcement.

The participants then called on the Child Protection Network to report all cases of child abuse, child exploitation and child neglect to appropriate authorities and have a databank for such violations, neglect, deprivations, exploitations and abuse and concluded by calling on other interested non-governmental organizations to join the Network in order to ensure effective coverage of the whole state


http://allafrica.com/stories/201105051083.html