The State Government says it is committed towards ensuring the proper sensitization of Ndi Anambra on the content, full implementation and benefit of the Child Rights Law.
The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Children and Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs Victoria Chikwelu, who gave the assurance yesterday in Awka, during a workshop organized by her Ministry in partnership with UNICEF, said the Child Rights Law does not deprive parents of their responsibilities but helps them in protecting their children’s Rights.
While appreciating the Social Workers for their roles in ensuring that no child stays more than two hours in detention, Dr. Chikwelu pleaded with them to liaise with parents and community members in disseminating the Child Rights Law to their children.
In his speech, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Azuka Ofomata, noted that despite the fact that the Child Rights Law was signed into law in 2004 and assented to in December 2006, the law is still yet to be gazetted.
Dr. Ofomata, unveiled that the State Government’s decision to review, produce and distribute the book to relevant sectors that are in partnership with UNICEF, was borne out of the ignorance of the Law by different stakeholders noting that some aspects of the law, like the Family Court Law which was established in 2010 is already functional.
While reviewing the book, a resource person and a specialist on child protection issues, Mr. Fidelis Ekwem, said proper knowledge of the law will enable social workers, Assessors and parents make good decisions in the best interest of their children.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RUWASSA), Mr. Victor Ezekwo, noted that in implementing the Child Rights Law, State Government, through RUWASSA in partnership with UNICEF is massively rehabilitating all MDG water projects, to ensure that school children, women and the physically challenged in the rural areas have access to potable water.
Some of the participants, Mrs. Sabina Izuorah, and Mr. Obiorah Igwe expressed gratitude to the organizers for availing them the opportunity, promising to ensure the full implementation of the law in their communities.
Highlights was a review of the Child Rights Law and question and answer Session.
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