MDAs Hold Stakeholders Meeting On Child Protection Policy

In a bid to conduct a post-mortem assessment of reported incidences of child abuse in Public and Private Schools in the State, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has organised a stakeholders’ forum on Child Protection Policy for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Lagos State. 

Speaking at the forum held recently at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the meeting was designed to discuss and review existing policies on safeguarding and child protection in the State, reiterating the need for schools to adhere to best practices in ensuring that every child is kept safe within the walls of learning.

She said the Joint Taskforce comprising top-level representatives from different MDAs had converged to review its activities in the past year, understand the trend, review the lessons learned from previous incidences and forge a way forward from a more preventive lens.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, who was represented by the Director of Social Welfare Department, Mrs. Toyin Jaiyeola, emphasised the need for continuous collaborations in raising awareness against all forms of abuse and promoting wellness for peace, justice and safety of children.

On her part, the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni said the mandate of quality education hinges on ensuring the safety of every child in all schools in the State. She said the State has a mandate which is collaborative when it comes to safeguarding and Child Protection.

Seriki Ayeni noted that the review of the past year’s activities of the Joint Taskforce revealed a high correlation between School Compliance and the Safety of Children, stressing that OEQA ensures that reporting procedures are easier than it was previously and complaints can easily be lodged about a school, child or any issue on its website.