By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
A Civil Society Organization (CSO), Child Protection Network Nigeria (CPN), in collaboration with the Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development has trained stakeholders on community-level understanding of child protection and alternative care practices.
Citizenship Daily reports that the CSO brought together community members, caregivers, and child protection actors for the exercise.
The facilitator, Amb. Boniface Koson who is also a State coordinator of CPN noted during a one-day workshop held in Jalingo that, the aim is to strengthen community-level understanding of child protection and alternative care.
Boniface emphasized the importance of community involvement in safeguarding vulnerable children in Taraba community
He charged participants to enhance community awareness on child rights, reporting mechanisms, and the role of families and communities in safeguarding vulnerable children.
“The training is to equip participants with the knowledge of identifying and reporting child protection concerns, enabling them to provide better care for vulnerable children under our supervision,” he said.
Participants including Mrs. Audu Rebecca, Director of Child, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, and Mrs. Deborah Mikailu, Caregiver, JCITAG Orphanage Home, all gained practical knowledge on foster care, kinship care, and other alternative care options, including eligibility and safeguarding principles.
They promised to promote community responsibility and commitment to safeguarding children and encouraged active participation in reporting and prevention of child protection violations.
Mrs. Audu Rebecca, Director of Child, Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Taraba State, highlighted the importance of collaboration in ensuring child protection.
“We appreciate the efforts of CPN and other stakeholders in strengthening child protection systems in Taraba State. We will continue to work together to ensure the welfare of our children,” she said.
The workshop also established a Foster Care Group (FCG) to champion alternative care implementation and ensure sustainability.
