BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Save The Child Initiative (STCI) Nigeria with support from PLAN International and funding from EU-INTPA project has flagged off 2 day capacity building for school counsellors and Tsangaya modibbos in Sokoto on the prevention and response to Gender Based Violence/Child Protection.
Giving objectives of the 2 day capacity building, STCI Education Officer, Mathew Animasahun said participants were carefully selected because of the relevant roles they play in the lives of children.
Taking participants on “The Concept of Gender And How It Affects Societal Perspectives of GBV”, Abdulhamid Lamido, the STCI Nigeria Programme Manager said, gender is that socially constructed roles ascribed to a person.
Making presentation on “”Understanding Child Protection, Abuse and Neglect” Mr Mathew Animasahun, the STCI-Nigeria Education Officer said both parents have the responsibility of protecting their wards, Mathew said correcting a child is not wrong, but must not be the type that involves abuse.
Mathew who added that abuse on children could be physical, sexual or emotional said, children that have experienced abuse frequently if not properly counselled are likely to become future abusers.
While stressing that failing to provide for children’s basic needs, such as adequate food, clothing, education, medical needs, hygiene or supervision are forms of child neglect, Mathew said, society might not be seeing some of the neglects as an issue, but it has overall negative consequence on the society.
“”Child neglect is a serious issues. Children that are being neglected tends not to have good conscience as nothing matters to them. Nobody show them love thus all the know is bitterness.
“”Child neglect may be intentional or unintentional. Child neglect is the most prevalent from or child maltreatment yet the most underreported and most devastating.
He further gave signs of neglect to include, frequent hunger, stealing or hiding food, losing weight, poor personal hygiene, constant tiredness, behavioral difficulties, lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs.
Mathew who said causes of neglect is multidimensional, added that, neglect it’s often an outcome of individual and societal failure. He further argued that contrary to the believe is some quarters, poverty is not the foundation for neglect.
Speaking on Safeguarding, Esther Oluwafemi the STCI-Nigeria Gender and Safeguarding Officer reeled out numbers of things that school counselors, desk officers and Modibbos must not do, adding they must be mindful of the kind of words used while dealing with children.
“”As counsellors, you must not use abusive language, behave physically in a way that is inappropriate or sexually enticing. bully, coarse, discriminate or show preferential attachment to any child.
