Wife of the Nigerian President, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, 18 November, 2023 joined her Sierra Leonean counterpart, Dr. Fatima Madda Bio, and the Angolan First Lady, Dr. Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço, to commemorate the first anniversary of the United Nations Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu underscored the gravity of the social menace, calling on all nations of the world to bring a complete end to it.
The Nigerian First Lady described the act as one that defies the essence of humanity.
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu @SenRemiTinubu says sexual exploitation, abuse and violence must be stopped in Africa
As she commemorates UN Day in Sierra Leone
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON has emphasized the need for women… pic.twitter.com/x78VNjjvkV
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 17, 2023
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child grows up in an environment that is safe, nurturing and free from harm.
“Equally important is the healing from trauma of abuse. We must support survivors in their journey to recovery.
“The scars of abuse run deep, but with the right resources, therapy, love and support, survivors can find strength to heal and rebuild their lives.
“Their stories are not just tales of pain; they are stories of resilience, hope, courage and triumph,” said the Nigerian First Lady.
Collective Action
Earlier, the First Lady of Angola, Dr. Ana Afonso Dias Lourenço,
called on all African nations to come together to give survivors a voice and a new lease of life.
For his part, the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, assured that the Judiciary would bring every perpetrator to justice, as there cannot be healing without justice.
There were testimonies by survivors after which the First Ladies of Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Angola presented scholarship awards to 130 survivors for university education.
Some were also given scholarships for vocational training and start-up business capital to the tune of Le100,000,000.00 (N3.7million).
Statistics show that one in every four girls and one in every nine boys have been sexually exploited, abused or violated.
The 18th of November was declared by the United Nations as the World Day for the Prevention of Child Sex Exploitation, Abuse and Violence.
The day, which was initiated by Sierra Leone and co-sponsored by Nigeria in 2021, has the objectives to effectively educate and steer action to eliminate the social menace.
