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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, has urged urgent action to protect child mothers – girls under 18 raising children, often as survivors of abuse or neglect.
Speaking at the South-South Regional Forum on Alternative Care Guidelines, she condemned cultural attitudes that shame girls while excusing men responsible, calling it “deeply institutionalized GBV.”
The forum, organized by Gender and Development Action (GADA) with Ford Foundation support, brought together stakeholders to address the plight of abandoned young mothers.
Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, GADA founder, highlighted cycles of abuse, abandonment, and poverty affecting generations of girls.
Representing NAPTIP’s Director-General, Tolu Odugbeson emphasized the need for inter-agency partnerships, funding for shelters, and community-led responses.
She praised South-South states for domesticating the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
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The summit aims to chart a coordinated response to protect vulnerable girls and prevent further exploitation.
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