Children’s Day: TPS Celebrates Abandoned Children of SGBV | ClipTV Online

The Press Society (TPS), a non-governmental organization, has joined forces with the Child Protection Network (CPN) and other civil society organizations to celebrate Children’s Day, focusing particularly on survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and children abandoned due to lack of socio-economic resources.

In an event organized by CPN on May 27, 2024, supported by local and international partners at the Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, TPS President Adagunduro Elias Abayomi emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by child survivors of SGBV. He stressed that celebrating Children’s Day is incomplete without bringing these issues to the forefront.

Key Concerns Highlighted

Elias expressed deep concern over the hurdles faced by children who bravely report cases of SGBV. He pointed out the troubling reality that sometimes the perpetrators are the children’s own parents, who should be their protectors. This creates a dilemma where, if a breadwinner like a father is imprisoned for defiling his daughter, the child faces numerous hardships.

In his interview, Elias said:

“Yes, civil society organizations are working tirelessly to intensify awareness that children should speak up and speak out, and that they should name and shame perpetrators of SGBV. However, some parents, who are supposed to protect their children, are the perpetrators of these immoral acts. This is a dilemma.”

He highlighted the severe consequences faced by children when the primary breadwinner is jailed, questioning who will then provide for their education, sustenance, and emotional well-being.

TPS’s Commitment and Call to Action

Elias celebrated the courage of these children, acknowledging them as “real MVPs and generals” for their bravery in speaking out against SGBV. He noted the existence of a trust fund in Lagos State that addresses some immediate needs of survivors, such as changing schools or relocating.

“The Press Society is using this day to appeal to the government to earmark funds to take care of not just the immediate needs of a survivor but all the needs until he or she stabilizes,” Elias stated. He warned that neglecting these children could lead to raising “monsters” in society, emphasizing the collective responsibility towards every child.

He concluded by urging society to view every child as their own, highlighting the broader implications of neglect:

“Any child you see on the street is your child. If you think it’s only your child you want to take care of, trust me, you are in for big trouble in this country.”

This Children’s Day celebration underscores the need for sustained support for SGBV survivors and abandoned children, aiming to ensure their holistic well-being and integration into society.