By Fatima Muraina

Ondo state Government has taken the lead  in the  implementation of  global equality Project 11 for the enactment of Child Protection and Safeguard policy in the state.

This was disclosed yesterday at the opening ceremony of the policy dialogue for enactment of Child protection and safeguarding policy in Ondo State held yesterday in Akure, the state capital.

Speaking at the occasion, wife of the Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu who was represented  by Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender, Mrs Olamide Falana, urged key stakeholders from education sector to keep all hands on deck and own the process and policy which will ensure protection of students across the state.

While urging everybody to keep the state safe from all forms of gender based violence, she expressed the need to step up the concerted efforts through adequate programming as she said that the work is massive which government alone  cannot handle.

According to her, the OSAA-GBV trained first line responders on GBV response.

“The medical officers and security operatives were also trained on how to deal with victims with utmost empathy without any harm among majority of others.

” This agency as an arm of government, is armed with the power and political backing required to work effectively ,” she stated.

The Country Director, West Minister Foundation for Democracy, WFD Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, in his good will message, disclosed that the state has taken the lead towards implementing the global equality Project 11 where young people would be included in the VAPP law because they are the most vulnerable  and affected ones.

“Young people need to be empowered to understand the law with the intention of coming up with child protection,” he stated.

Olorunmola stated that the state is already working in safeguarding, which has facilitated the foundation’s support and cooperation for the initiative.

Explaining the Global Equality Project 11, Oloruntoba said it was for the implementation of the VAPP law which Ondo state has domesticated.

Earlier in her welcome speech, the Executive Secretary, Ondo State Agency Against Gender Based-Violence (OSAA-GBV), Barr. Bolanle Afolabi urged stakeholders to be alert to the signs of abuse and take appropriate measures to ensure that children receive effective support, protection and justice.

Afolabi said schools’ staff must understand roles that will enable children have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.

” We must encourage positive and safe behaviour among the children while the school staff must be good listeners and be alert to change in child’s behaviour which may be an indicator of abuse,” she said.

She advised stakeholders to pay special attention and consideration to children who are disable, children living in a known domestic abuse situation, vulnerable or being bullied or engage  in bullying, children living in a chaotic, neglectful and unsupportive home situations.