IN a bid to intensify child protection efforts in Delta State, the State Child Rights Implementation Committee (SCRIC), under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, and Social Development, has convened a high-stakes meeting.
This gathering held yesterday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Asaba brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the state correctional center, various NGOs, and child welfare experts, to devise strategies for enhancing child welfare and safety across the state.
Opening the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Chairperson of SCRIC, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing child protection laws and urged a unified approach to intensify enforcement of the law in Delta State.
“The State Child Rights Implementation Committee was established following the enactment of the Child Rights Act in our state. Our children represent the future of Delta State, and it is our collective duty to shield them from harm. This meeting, along with its accompanying lectures, aims to forge a robust plan to advance child rights in our state,” she said.
A standout feature of the meeting was a lecture by the Head of the Department of Educational Management and Foundations at Delta State University, Abraka, Dr. Theresa Atakpo, who explored the principle of the “best interest of the child.”
She advocated for political commitment, increased investment, professional training, community involvement, effective legal frameworks, and data-driven decision-making as essential components for protecting and promoting children’s rights.
Additionally, Mrs. Afonughe Edewor delivered a lecture on the legal aspects of child protection. Her presentation navigated the complexities of child protection laws, detailing the rights afforded to children under various legal frameworks, the role of legal institutions, and the challenges in enforcing these protections.
Edewor highlighted the necessity of collaborative efforts between legal professionals, government agencies, and community organizations to uphold and enhance children’s rights effectively.
The meeting also featured an interactive session where stakeholders presented data and reports of child rights enforcement efforts, including updates from the Head of Personnel Management (HPM) of SCRICs across local government areas.
