BY ADAKOLE ADAKOLE, Sokoto-
Following the prevalence of violence against women and girls in Nigeria, Mr Godwin Odo, A UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, has quoted a recent survey conducted by various agencies with UNICEF that: “one in every 4 girls in Nigeria have experienced sexual violence”.
Mr Odo who said that 6 out of every 10 children in Nigeria experience violence, added that, one out of every 2 children have experienced some form of physical harms and 1 in every 10 boys have experienced sexual violence in Nigeria.
Speaking at a five days training for in Service Social Welfare officers in Sokoto on Child Protection and Case Management as well as Information Management System (CIPMS), Mr Odo added that 1 in 6 girls and 1 in 5 boys have experienced emotional violence in Nigeria
NATIONAL ACCORD gathered that the five days training was supported by the European Union, United Nations Spotlight Initiative through the Sokoto State Ministry of Women and Girls Affairs, which is geared towards ending violence against women and girls in the State.
While stressing that case management is very crucial to child protection, the UNICEF resource personnel explained case management as the process that link together the referral about a child in need of protection, and an assement of the child’s needs, risk and an action plan to be carried out.
This according to him captures: “A process that makes sure that a child’s needs for protection are met and the child does not fall through gaps in the safety net”.
“It involves working with families to establish goals, creating plans to achieve the goals and provide services to meet needs identified in the assessments, monitoring progress towards achievement of the goals”.
Mr Odo who explained that case management should focused on mapping and assessment of service to promote a multisectoral approach, also stressed that the confidentiality of the survivor should be given priority as well.