By Chioma Umeha
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday launched a
campaign tagged “End Violence Against Children by 2030,” a move that will check
cases of violence against the young ones.
The campaign, which was launched at the State
House Conference Centre, is an ambitious programme geared towards bringing to
an end violence perpetuated against women and children.
According to UNICEF, “Millions of children suffer
some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence every year in Nigeria.”
A survey carried out last year by the National
Population Commission, with support from UNICEF and the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, revealed that approximately 6 out of 10 Nigerian
children experience one of these forms of violence before they reach 18.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of
the Federation, Babachir Lawal, Buhari said: “I say to children in Nigeria – on this historic day, we
make a pledge. We commit to protecting each and every one of you from violence.
“The Year of Action has created a wonderful
momentum to end violence against children. We have a clear moral, legal and
economic imperative and a global obligation to take action to end the suffering
of children who live under the shadow of violence.”
The 2030 End Violence Against Children Campaign,
supported by UNICEF and USAID, builds and expands on the success of just-ended
Year of Action to End Violence Against Children, launched by the President in
September 2015.
