Social Workers Train To Combat Child Violence In Benue

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Benue State government and other partners have organised training for 60 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) alongside some members of host communities as auxiliary social workers to protect children from physical and emotional violence.

UNICEF’s chief of field office in Enugu State, Juliet Chiluwe who made this known during the graduation/convocation ceremony of the trainees drawn from Makurdi and Guma IDP camps and the host communities said the training was one of the critical steps towards attainment of children’s rights in Benue State.

“Today marks a critical moment in the history of the state to ensure that the rights of children particularly, their right to education, health, protection from physical and emotional violence, harmful practices among others are attained through the dedication of the graduating auxiliary social workers,” she said.

he UNICEF representative described the graduands as key partners, allies and catalysts to ensure that children both in IDP camps and host communities are protected from physical and emotional violence.

Commissioner for women affairs and social welfare Theresa Ikwue applauded UNICEF for continued investment in the future of Benue children, adding that their intervention had significantly enhanced coordination, institutional capacity and statewide coverage of child protection services.