From TCNEWS
As countries across the globe celebrates the year 2024 National Be Someone Day, a medical expert and the Vision bearer of The Straight Child Foundation, TSCF Dr. Mrs Peace Amaraegbulam, has called for a collective fight against child abuse.
Pix: Dr. Mrs Peace Amaraegbulam.
Interacting with our correspondent through WhatsApp, Dr. Amaraegbulam, observed that majority of the populace do not know the facts about child abuse, which National be Someone Day has provided the perfect opportunity to learn these important facts.
Amaraegbulam, who decried the rising trend of sexual and gender based violence in the society, harped on the need for the well-meaning Nigerians to embrace the concept of July 21st, National Be Someone Day and take the pledge to be the person to make a difference in a child’s life.
Furthermore, she enjoined Nigerians to always be prepared to report a confirmed molestation cases, particularly when a child trusts you enough and tells you they are experiencing abuse.
Pix: A cross section of members of Abia GBVRT.
She also used the forum to appreciate the Abia State Gender Based Response Team, GBVRT and State Technical Working Group, STWG, whose aim is to guide the Abia State Government’s action, to coordinate the various sectors involved in the fight against Gender based violence, to strengthen the State’s response, and to align the efforts of government, the private sector and civil society.
She observed that that within the period under review they have not failed in their assignment, even as she encouraged them to continue to sustain the tempo.
Speaking also, the President General of Ahuwa-Oboro autonomous community Oboro clan in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Engr. Dr. James Nnadozie Uchegbuo, described the case of child abuse as very rampant and decried that the pressure from the victims/survivors’ families have remained a clog in the wheel of justice.
According to him, most families would prefer to settle with the perpetrators instead joining hands with him and some of the village heads to report the matter to the constituted authorities, despite the campaigns and sensitization carried out in the community on the dangers of domestic violence and child abuse.
He reminded his community that the July 21st National Be Someone Day is a renewed call on them to speak out if they witness or are victims of sexual violence, domestic violence, gender-based violence and/or child abuse.
He also appreciated the efforts put in place by the Abia State Government led by Governor Alex Otti in the fight against child abuse and the complementary role being played by the Mayor of Ikwuano Council, Mayor Osinachi Nwaka as it affects the menace.
Pix: Engr. Dr. James Nnadozie Uchegbuo.
Founded by Project Harmony, National Be Someone Day is meant to bring communities together through education and awareness and to help put an end to child abuse.