Benue records 10 cases of violence against children monthly – Commissioner

ABOUT ten cases of violence against children are reported to the Benue State government on monthly basis.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Mwuese Minyim, stated this at the weekend in Makurdi at the press conference held by Benue State partners with USAID funded SMILE project to address violence against children in the state.

The commissioner who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs Ann Yaji, said that over 50 cases of violence against children have been treated in the ministry this year.

She explained that the manner children’ right are being violated is worrisome and called on parents and guardians to abstain from the vices that could likely cause physical, emotional and sexual violence on innocent children.

The commissioner said that the state technical working group on violence against children in collaboration with USAID and SMILE has developed priority action across all sectors relevant to child protection.

The document, according to her, set out short term and long term strategies to be implemented in the state in response to findings of the violence against children in order to be more effectively prevent and respond to violence against children.

She promised the renewal of campaign to end violence against children in the state and calls on other MDAs, local government, civil society, religious and traditional leaders, faith based organisation, community based, media and other stakeholders to make environment free for children.