The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has taken additional action to combat child trafficking, as they are concerned about the recent regrettable development that has seen the state top the nation in instances related to child trafficking.
As part of its actions, the committee met with Muslim women’s organizations, women leaders, and wives of heads of denominations to emphasize how important it is for us as leaders to work together to stop gender violence in all its manifestations throughout the state.
The Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) in Jos hosted a stakeholders engagement on Thursday. This provided the commission with a platform to discuss with the women leaders some of the heartbreaking accounts of events involving Plateau Women and girls within and outside the country.
Remember, in a recent video, several Plateau and Imo state females were brought to Ghana for prostitution and other unwanted activities.
According to the Chairperson of the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, Barrister Olivia Daziem, made known that the most concerning aspect of the story is the culture of silence among Plateau mothers, as no mother from the state has come out to identify any of the girls as her daughter.
She expressed concern that, in certain circumstances, parents are signing their children out for prostitution or child labor, thereby making the children the family breadwinners.
Barr. Daziem emphasized the need of religious leaders speaking up and playing an active role in the campaign in their respective houses of worship by putting out the right messages.
She proposed that religious leaders create a mechanism for victims to express their burdens in partnership with relevant bodies, giving sufferers hope.
Barr. Daziem said the issues of sexual and gender based violence, trafficking in the state, fundamental human right abuses is a situation that calls for everyone’s attention.
“You are aware that quite a number of our children are being trafficked out of the state. That is the form of right violation. You are also aware of the kind of domestic violence that we have, there are cultural practices that infringe on the right of our people in the state.
“His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang would want us to create awareness, sensitize the people that we need to respect each other’s fundamental rights. That is why we are here.” She said.
She urged religious women leaders to support the campaign at every chance.
Barr. Nalong Gumut, Secretary of the Commission, discussed during her presentation on the commission’s mandate, vision, and mission, as well as what the commission is doing to carry it out.
The meeting’s discussion focused on themes like as trafficking, marital violence, child abuse, and the helplessness of youngsters who have no choice but to go out and fend for themselves.
During the engagement, a video documentary about gender-based violence, trafficking, and other issues was shown to religious women leaders in order to inspire them to take action.
SOURCE: DAILYNEWS BREAKERS
