A campaign against gender-based violence, child abuse, and related concerns has been taken to markets across the Ogun State capital.
The Ogun State chapter of the Child Protection Network, CPN, led by the Community Child Protection Committee, visited several marketplaces, including Lafenwa, Iberekodo, Ijebu Itele, and Ijebu Imushin, among others.
A committee member, Afolashade Odewale, addressing market women during the campaign, decried the alarming upsurge in cases of child abuse, condemned the attitude of some parents for being excessively strict and emotionally distant, stating that such attitudes discourage children from speaking out.
Odewale urged mothers to cultivate close relationships, particularly with their daughters, to create a safe space where the girls can speak freely if they experience any form of molestation.
“What is wrong is that you scream at her always, she will then lack the freeness to express herself and when she is not able to do that, she will not be able to tell you what is bothering her, she will not be able to tell you when a man fondles her breast, she will not be able to tell you when a man touches her buttocks when you are too harsh with her.
“Let your child be your friend, let your child be your first friend, especially the girl-child. Draw them closer, know when they are menstruating, draw them closer, know when they should be on menstruation and what to do, and give them, draw them closer to give it to them,” she said.
In her remarks, the Deputy Coordinator of CPN, Mrs Margaret Adeleke, emphasized the need to break the culture of silence surrounding child abuse.
She stressed that communities must actively support survivors and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
