A child protection expert and life coach, Mrs. Olugbemisola Osagede-Daramola has declared that the boy-child also needs care and special attention.
Osagede-Daramola who spoke with LEADERSHIP in Ilorin, Kwara State, advocated for collective efforts from government, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and the society to advance the welfare of the boy-child.
While emphasizing that the boy-child deserves to be cared for, Osagede-Daramola noted that,”the boy-child is also vulnerable and should be taught good conduct and morals.”
She stressed as erroneous the notion that a girl-child was more important than her boy counterpart.
“The more society neglects the training and protection of the boy child, the more it exposes itself to danger,” she maintained.
“Government at all levels, NGOs and the society should also prioritise the boy-child safety. Look into the issues affecting the boy-child and proffer a workable solution to tackle the challenges.
“If you train and protect the girls without protecting the boys, it is half baked. We have done a lot on the girl – child; let us focus on the boy-child for now,” she said.
Osagede-Daramola urged parents to embrace the habit of balancing their children’s training and protection, rather than being one sided.
She warned that parents and society must be aware of sodomy, cultism and other anti-social behaviours as well as drug issues now prevalent in the society.
She further emphasised the need for government at all levels and NGOs to organise programmes to further enlighten the boy-child, and train his mind for the future.
“Boys deserve special training. They can’t be neglected all in the name of being strong mentally. Pamper them, counsel them and prepare them for the future like the girl -child,” she said.
