Human Rights Day: Dame Talen Makes Case Against Female Genital Mutilation, Other Violence

The Minister of Women affairs, Dame Paulen Talen has appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to support the implementation of the 2022-2026 Action Plan and the Child’s Rights Act.

She lamented that Women and children are being subjected to all forms of abuses and violence which hinders their proper  physical and emotional development.

Dame Talen spoke at activities rounding off the 16 days of 2021 International human rights day celebration organised by the National Human Rights Commission.

She particularly made case against female genital mutilation, which she noted that it affects their emotional psyche and proper upbringing of their children.

She said: “I want to start on a good note to not only celebrate the Human Rights Commission but to congratulate the Chairman, the Board members and the Executive Secretary for presenting the  Action Plan 2022- 2026.

“I also say that we have to draw action plan against female genital mutilation because female genital mutilation is one of the greatest damage to humanity and greatest violation of human rights.

“Women have been so abused and for the past 16 days, we have been drawing attention to all forms of violence against women and children. In fact, I celebrate all our advocates, all those who remembered to be in orange, I celebrate the Executive Secretary for the good job he is doing in this country.

“You’ll agree with me that Nigeria is facing a lot of challenges and until we address all forms of violence against women…. Because abusing or inflicting pains and all forms of violence against women is destroying the psyche and touching her emotional psyche which will affect her bringing up better children. A mother nurtures the home, a mother can only be the best mother if she is in the right frame of mind.

“I call on all well meaning Nigerians, men and women of goodwill to please do whatever you can to be ambassador to condemn all forms violence against women and children, and to support the implementation of the Action Plan and the Child’s Rights Act.

“If you’ve been following our activities, you’ll notice that we have been putting a lot of pressures to see that all the 36 States of the Federation domesticated the Child’s Rights Act. When I assumed office, we had only nine state which had domesticated the Act but now, we have 28.

“With Borno state adopting the Act, The North East and the North west are the remaining 9 States that are yet to domesticate the Child’s Rights Act. Now, because Borno state has adopted, we have 8 States left.

“The high point was marked with the decorations of NHRC executive Secretary and the Chairman as champions.”