The 300 cases of rape recorded last year involving children at the Gombe state Specialist Hospital has been attributed to lack of proactive measures to addressing the welfare of children.
Speaker, Gombe state Children Parliament, Umar Abdullahi disclosed this on Friday when he paid a courtesy visit to Gombe state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Naomi Joel.
He lamented that welfare of children has not been addressed, which was the reason why over 300 cases of rape involving children were recorded in 2019 at the state Specialist Hospital.
The speaker also advocated for proactive measures to address cases of child rape and neglect in the state.
He, however, noted that domestication of the Child Rights Act would provide solution to the menace in the state, saying it is an offence for anyone to molest, abuse or trample on the right of children in all aspects of life.
Umar Abdullahi called on the state government to abolish the “Almajiri” system and establish a policy to make it mandatory for parents to educate their children to check abuse and many other social vices.
Responding, state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Naomi Joel said the state government was monitoring the situation to ensure that perpetrators face the wrath of the law.
She described rape and neglect of children as “barbaric and despicable” and reiterated state government’s commitment toward addressing the menace and ensure quality education for children.
According to her, the state government is working on the Child Right Act, stressing that the Act will be domesticated as soon as the processes were completed.On his part, Speaker, Gombe state House of Assembly, Abubakar Kurba said the bill has been lingering in the House, noting that a committee was set up to review it to conform with the religious and cultural beliefs in the state.