The Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Anambra State, Mrs Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, has intensified her advocacy for child protection and family welfare, taking the campaign against child abuse, domestic violence and crime to Catholic women during their August meetings at St. Anthony’s Parish, Ikenga, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Isuofia.
The Commissioner, who attended the August meeting of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) of St. Anthony’s Parish, Ikenga, commended the women for their commitment to the growth of their families and communities.
She urged them to remain strong pillars of moral upbringing, peacebuilding and social development, stressing that women have a critical role to play in protecting children and young people from negative influences.
Mrs Onyekesi encouraged the women to support government programmes focused on child protection, prevention of gender-based violence, family welfare and social development, assuring them of the commitment of the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare to improving the lives of women, children and vulnerable persons across Anambra State.
The Commissioner also joined the Isuofia Central Catholic Women Organisation (ICCWO) at its August meeting held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Isuofia, where the issue of child protection and the growing need to shield children and young people from abuse, exploitation and criminal influences took centre stage.
Speaking at the gathering, Commissioner Onyekesi commended the leadership and members of ICCWO for their dedication to the advancement of women and the strengthening of families.
She described the collaboration between the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare and POCACOV as an important partnership in the collective effort to protect children and safeguard the future of Anambra’s young population.
According to her, the safety and wellbeing of children cannot be left to government or security agencies alone, but requires a united front involving parents, the Church, communities, government institutions and security agencies.
The Commissioner therefore called on women across the state to remain united and actively participate in programmes that promote peace, responsible parenting, family values, child protection and social development.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to deepen its partnership with Catholic women organisations and other faith-based and community organisations across the state.
Mrs Onyekesi further assured the women of the continued support of the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare under the administration of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, as the government continues to pursue policies and programmes aimed at building safer families, protecting vulnerable persons and creating a better future for the children of Anambra State.
In her remarks, ASP Francisca Egbunike of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), charged parents and guardians to become more vigilant in monitoring the activities, associations and behaviour of their children and wards.
ASP Egbunike stressed that the fight against child abuse, domestic violence and crime must begin from the home, urging mothers to pay closer attention to the friends their children keep, changes in their behaviour and other warning signs that may indicate exposure to harmful influences.
She also called on parents and community members to promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities, noting that early intervention could prevent children and young people from becoming victims of abuse or being drawn into criminal activities.
Anambra State Women Leader of POCACOV, Amb. Florence Mmakah, in her speech, urged more women to join the campaign against child abuse, domestic violence and crime.
Lady Mmakah called on interested women to volunteer as members of POCACOV, stressing that the protection of children and the restoration of moral values require the active participation of mothers and women across communities.
