The need to strengthen advocacy on the rights of children and eradicate barriers militating against their access to affordable healthcare, personal growth, and development has again been stressed.

These were the submissions of critical stakeholders at the quarterly meeting of the Social Behaviour Change Committee (SBCC) of the Ondo State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The quarterly meeting of the SBCC brought together different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to brainstorm on how to proffer solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting women and children in society.

In his opening remarks, the Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr Olanrewaju Akarakiri, who emphasized the importance of the SBCC meeting, praised UNICEF for its impactful programmes geared towards the protection, growth, and development of children and mothers.

He commended the participants for their positive contributions towards ending all barriers against child survival in the state and beyond.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as we gather here today, we do so with a shared mission to foster meaningful and lasting improvements in health, education, and overall well-being—change that can only be achieved when behaviour and social norms are critically and strategically addressed in the best interest of our people, particularly the future of our children.

No doubt, this meeting will provide us with a valuable opportunity to review our progress, share experiences, discuss challenges, and align our strategies as we move forward. Through this kind of collaboration, we will be able to design and implement impactful programmes that will benefit our people. Our goal is not only to inform and educate but to empower individuals and communities to make decisions that improve their lives and the lives of those around them.

I want to use this medium to appreciate UNICEF for its commitment to the welfare of children and mothers in the state through the various supports received so far.”

In her paper presentation, the UNICEF Specialist on Social Behaviour Change, Lagos Office, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, who said the rights of children and mothers must be protected, tasked members of the SBCC to engage in activities that promote child survival in Ondo State.

She also urged members to ensure proper documentation and reporting of all SBCC programmes, stressing that documentation provides an opportunity to assess challenges confronting children and mothers and co-create solutions.

“This is to improve on the existing programme. This provides a platform to meet and review what our activities have been in the past year as implemented by different agencies in Ondo State.

This is not a UNICEF programme but rather the state government’s programme for children and women, and we must assess how impactful and successful the programmes are.”

Mrs Olubunmi Obaromi from the State Primary Healthcare Agency disclosed that while carrying out the Big Catch-Up programme in five local governments noted for low vaccination turnout, the health workers and villagers encountered security challenges.

The State Director of Orientation and Mobilisation for the SBCC, Mr Tony Adetoye, said the programme became necessary to ensure that more collaborative efforts are geared towards informing and educating the people about the vital task of protecting children and mothers from harmful practices.