Cross River moves to end Girl Child Abuse, issues warning to Offenders

Cross River moves to end Girl Child Abuse,Issues warning to offenders

With the worrisome rise of child and women abuse and molestation around the world, the Cross River State Government has sounded a note of warning to perverts, pedophiles and all other sexual predators notorious for perpetrating the heinous act across the State.

The State Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu made this assertion as he received in audience, the United Nations (UN) Spotlight Initiative Team in the Government House, Calabar.

"I want to use this medium to tell men who abuse their wives, daughters and sisters that their game is up, because it's not going to be business as usual.

Those found in the habit of abusing girl child and molestation of women in Cross River State should have a change of mind or "your game is up!”

We are ready as a State to partner with the UN Spotlight Initiative on advocacy that will bring to an end early child marriages, FGM, and other harmful practices against the girl child", he said.

The MIDC Commissioner in the State, Dr. Inyang Asibong, explained that Cross River commences the program in July, 2019, after it's official launch at the National Level in Abuja, as part of the State’s concerted effort towards ending all forms of violence against women and children on the backdrop of legislative instruments.

While the UN Spotlight Director, Mr. Keneth Ehouzou, pointed out that the modus operandi of the program is a joint EU - UN initiative which has been launched in 22 countries including Nigeria since 2017.

The UN Team was in Cross River State to consolidate on the Policy thrust of the State in the girl child and women development through the Ministry of  International Development/Global Donor Cooperation (MIDC), and the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The meeting also had in attendance  the UNICEF Representative, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh; Prominent Gender Development Activist, Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, amongst others.