FG to establish family courts for cases of violence against children

The federal government has concluded plans to establish family courts in all states of the federation to try cases involving violence against children and other vulnerable groups.

The Director of Social Welfare at the Federal Ministry of Women affairs and Social Development (FMWASD), Temitope Osonuga disclosed this in Enugu on Tuesday at the opening of a workshop on “Social Work Professional Bill” organized by the Ministry of Information and Culture and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) in partnership with UNICEF.

The director said with increase in the number of homeless victims, the ministry also intends to establish more rehabilitation centre in all states.

The ministry, according to her, will also work assiduously and advocate strongly with the National Assembly and other important government agencies for an increased budgetary allocation to the ministry and entire social development sector.

She noted that as issues bothering on human rights increases in Nigeria, there is an increasing demand for social workers and their services and the need to adequately equip them with the right skills in specialized areas.

Also speaking, the Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF, Maryam Enyiazu, urged federal lawmakers to assent the bill on social work profession, saying it is critical to achieving the SDGs.

She added that social workers create protective environment for healthy development and well being by tackling poverty, reducing discrimination, promoting social justice among others.

Enyiazu maintained that the regulation of the profession through the bill will not only promote the profession but will give it identity and integrity, protect the public service users and clients, as well as promote inter-professional work force.