Sixty-one per cent of Nigerian parents believe in punishment rather than discipline as the corrective measure for children, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), SMILE Project, has stated.
This was just as the group also tasked policy makers to make serious commitment towards supporting victims of sexual violence and vulnerable children in Nigeria.
Project Facilitator of the organisation, Nathaniel Awuapilla, made the disclosure in Benin City, Edo state, while presenting the second draft document of the state’s priority plan to end violence against children.
“Children had a low awareness of people or services from which they can get help. Boys have a significantly higher awareness than girls of where they seek help. Of those who experience sexual or physical violence, not more than six per cent sought help, and less than five per cent receive help,” he said.
He, however, recommended support for parents, care-givers and families that would assist children and adolescents to manage risks and challenges, as well as the “implications of laws and policies that protect children against violence.”
Speaking earlier, the Edo state Commissioner for women Affairs and social Development, Magdalena Ohenhen, challenged participants to work towards the implementation of the action plan in the draft document and sustain the policy thrust of government.
Consequently, Ohenhen said the state government had domesticated the Child’s Rights law.
