The Hon Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen has said that the outbreak of coronavirus has increased the incidences of incest and child molestation by parents in the country.She said that it is dishearting to note that biological parents take advantage of their wards during the covid-19 lockdown.
The Minister made the promise when the Director General of NAPTIP, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim led a number of the agency’s senior management staff on a solidarity visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs.
The Minister called on parents, most especially male parents, to exercise restrain and stop abominable behaviors so that the Almighty will see our country through all security challenges and economic hardship. Tallen promised to work in synergy with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in order to mitigate all forms of violence against women and children.
The Minister said that the visit of the NAPTIP’s DG is the first official visit this year, since her self-isolation as a result of covid-19 affliction.Dame Pauline Tallen said that the Ministry has developed a very robust working strategy, aimed at ameliorating hardship experience by women and children.
” We are calling on NAPTIP authorities to cash-in on the experience garnered by Ministry of Women Affiats over the years to achieve NAPTIP’s mandate.Women and children are worse hit, that is why the ministry is working very hard for the promulgation of the VAD, and Child Rights Acts.”
” If NAPTIP and the ministry of women affairs work together, both organization would be in a better working position to checkmate all incidences of women trafficking. We have come to solicit for a good working relationship with the Ministry of Women Affairs.”
“You will agree with me that the articles of trade in human trafficking are women and children. It is therefore important for my organization to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Women Affairs so that together we shall succeed”.
The DG explained that there is need for NAPTIP and the Ministry of Women Affairs to collaborate in terms of economic empowerment program for women, and children; training of personnels and advocacy visits.
