We're Using Carnival Calabar To Amplify GBV, Child Rights Issues- C'River Commissioner
By Ekanem Asuquo
Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River State, Edema Irom has explained that the Orange Band, a noncompeting band in the Carnival Calabar was floated to explore the global stage offered by the Carnival Calabar to draw attention to gender-based violence and human rights abuses suffered by vulnerable women and children in the society.
Edema, who spoke at the backdrop of Carnival Calabar stated: "Those of us within the human rights and campaigns against gender-based violence corridor needed a global venue to amplify our clarion calls for collective action against the various dehumanizing treatments being meted out to vulnerable children, women and even the men under the guise of culture and religion, Carnival Calabar came in handy as an ample avenue to galvanize the needed support against these vices to achieve optimum impact, that is why are here"
She stressed further" The present administration is extremely committed toward tackling gender-based violence, dehumanizing practices targeted against women and children under the guise of culture and religion. Imagine the menace of witchcraft branding which has sent innocent children to the streets while adults are often set ablaze, arising from the nefarious activities of ill-informed religious leaders. We are poised to checkmate such dastardly acts in our state"
" Good enough, through collaborative efforts, we have relevant laws meant to address these menacing anomalies, we are therefore using this platform to drum up support for the implementation of the various laws and to reiterate our resolve as a government to provide a safe environment for every child, every law-abiding citizen to live their dreams, actualize their potentials, irrespective of background"
Also speaking, human rights lawyer, James Ibor Esq said the Carnival had proven to be a vital platform in disseminating human rights messages given the mammoth crowd of spectators and millions of television viewers watching across the globe.
He applauded the robust collaboration among critical stakeholders noting that such posture was imperative to guarantee optimum results.
The band members, comprising critical stakeholders and partners displayed various banners with inscriptions condemning rape, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, harassment, molestation, gender-based violence as well as other forms of human rights abuses.
Recall that as part of deliberate efforts aimed at protecting children in the state from abuses, sexual exploitations, and harassment, the Cross River state government recently inaugurated the Cross River Child Rights Implementation Committee.
The committee, comprising critical stakeholders within the human rights space is saddled with the responsibility of galvanizing support to optimize the implementation of Child Rights Law 2023 in the state.
Inaugurating the committee, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom said the inauguration of the committee demonstrates the government's commitment to tackling the disturbing rate of dehumanizing practices being meted out to vulnerable children around the state.
According to Irom," The inauguration of this committee reflects the resolute posture of the state government against sexual exploitations, abuses and varying degrees of inhuman treatment targeted at vulnerable children by misguided individuals".
She disclosed that the present administration headed by Prince Bassey Otu is "deliberate and intentional in creating an enabling environment for every child in the state to maximize his or her potential, subdue primordial barriers and actualize their dreams"
In her remark, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Bishop Margaret Ene-Ita warned pedophiles and child trafficking syndicates to desist from their nefarious activities or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
In her words;" The inauguration of the Child Rights Law Implementation Committee marks a turning point in our collective quest to curtail the recurring menace of child abuses, molestations, sexual exploitations and other horrible treatment suffered by children in the hands of some unscrupulous elements"
"Our common agenda is to banish those behind these acts from our shore or keep them behind bars. We in Cross River state can't harbor such elements"
In her goodwill message, the wife of the state governor, Bishop Eyoawan Otu expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their relentless efforts toward creating a safe space for children and the vulnerable in the society.
Represented by her Special Adviser on NGOs Jeffrey Adamade, the first lady pledged her support and cooperation in tackling the alarming rate of child rights abuses in the state.
In his preamble at the event, renowned human rights lawyer and lead counsel at Basic Rights and Counsel Initiative, James Ibor Esq applauded the government for its peculiar interest in protecting the rights of children and vulnerable members of society against flagrant abuses.
