Joyce Onwuka
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Professor Fatima Waziri – Azi, has advocated all-round support for Parents and Caregivers so that they can be properly informed and enlightened with requisite knowledge on how to protect their children from the hands of traffickers and violent people.
Professor Fatima Waziri – Azi stated this in Abuja at a One-Day round table meeting on Parenting tagged “Evidence–based Parenting Support to Help Nigerian Parents Raise their Children to Reach their Full Potential in Life” hosted by the Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN) and the Global Parenting Initiatives at the Department of Social policy and Intervention, University of Oxford.
The Director General pointed out that due to the evolving nature of Human Trafficking occasioned by globalization, parents need to know those trending recruitment methods and risks involved in Child Trafficking and Violence Against Persons and pass such important information to their Children.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Isang Awah, Head of Advocacy at the Global Parenting Initiative, said that the workshop was designed to explore how various stakeholders could work together to ensure that Nigerian parents have access to free evidence-based, playful parenting support so that they are equipped with the knowledge and tools to help their children realize their learning potential and to prevent child sexual abuse, exploitation, and family violence.
She explained how parenting interventions work and shared research findings that show that parenting interventions reduce violence against children, improve the mental health of parents and children, increase adolescents’ chances of thriving in school, and reduce adolescents’ chances of using drugs and engaging in risky sexual behaviours.
Dr Isang outlined different accelerators to address the challenges of child upbringing including food security, safe schools, parenting support, and good mental health.
It was a highly impactful meeting as participants who were drawn from Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs), Development Partners, Members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and even the media, took time to evaluate issues confronting the well-being of Children and agreed on the need to scale up care for children, support for parents and caregivers and massive awareness for all stakeholders, all in the interest of the Children.
Key presentations at the meeting include Emotional Well-being and Mental Health of Children, Strengthen Care Givers – Child Relationship, Quality Education for the Children, and others.
The participants commended the sponsor of the meeting, Oxford Policy Engagement Network (OPEN), and the Global Parenting Initiatives, describing it as timely in view of the numerous issues threatening the growth and well-being of Children in the Country.
There was a general consensus on the need for a Policy on parenting in Nigeria.