The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita has called on the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to look into the rising cases of domestic violence and child abuse in the society with a view of stemming the tide.
She made this call during the Peer Review Visit of the body of Permanent Secretaries to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Abuja on Thursday, 19th of April, 2018.
The Head of Service expressed worry at the high rate of domestic violence, child abuse and child defilement in the society. Shelinked the trend to high rate of drug abuse while womenand children are at the receiving end.
Mrs. Oyo-Ita, expressed worry over the increasing wave of child abusein the society as minors are being raped on daily basis, without the offenders given commensurate punishment. She urged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to work with the National Assembly in order to enact stringent punishment for the offenders.
She lamented that efforts so far taken to curb the menace has only succeeded in addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause.
The HOS also suggested the creation of a psychological department in the Ministry, to address the mental wellbeing of men in order to have a holistic solution to the problem.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministryof Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs.IfeomaNkirukaAnagbogu in her presentation said the Ministry serves as the Nation’s vehicle and regulatory body for harnessing and actualizing the socio-economic development and potentials of Nigerian women, children, the socially distressed, disadvantaged and physically challenged. It also ensures the full integration of their rights and privileges in national developmental processes.
Mrs. Nkirukastated that the Ministry through its social intervention programme has been able to facilitate $5m World Bank loan for women at 2% interest rate.
Speaking further she said the Ministry has empowered women, through the Skill Acquisition Centres established in the six (6) geopolitical zones and also distributed economic empowerment equipments and tools to seventy two (72) women groups in twelve (12) constituencies.
Akinwumi Taiwo Olufunke(Senior Information Officer)
&
Dewan NengakGoshit (Information Officer 1)
For: Director Communications
