Edo Advances EU Supported Initiative to Reinforce Child Rights and Welfare

By Rosemary Okoduwa

Edo State is reinforcing its child protection architecture through a strategic alliance between the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and SOS Children’s Villages under a European Union–supported initiative aimed at safeguarding vulnerable children across the state.

At a high level engagement with project partners, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Joy Ihensekhien—reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening child care and protection systems. She emphasized that Edo State remains deliberate and proactive in protecting the rights and welfare of children while improving alternative care practices for those in vulnerable situations.

According to the Commissioner, effective child protection requires strong coordination among government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners. She assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s readiness to facilitate initiatives that promote the enforcement of child protection laws and ensure that policies translate into measurable outcomes for children across communities.

Mrs. Abdallah also highlighted the importance of upcoming technical sessions designed to develop clear implementation roadmaps, define stakeholder responsibilities, and establish expected outcomes under the EU-supported project. She stressed that sustainability must remain central to all child protection interventions, noting that lasting impact depends on careful planning and shared ownership.

Describing children as the foundation of society’s future, she called for innovative approaches and modern best practices in child welfare programming. She urged stakeholders to integrate new strategies that enhance efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness within the child protection system.

The Program Manager of CISLAC, Mr. Solomon Adoga, underscored the need to deepen collaboration with the Ministry to strengthen the implementation of the Child Rights Law and expand access to effective alternative care for vulnerable children. He emphasized coordinated action as critical to building a responsive and inclusive child protection framework in Edo State.

Similarly, the Project Manager of SOS Children’s Villages, Mr. Innocent Madueke, reiterated his organization’s dedication to reinforcing legal frameworks and boosting the operational capacity of child protection committees statewide. He highlighted ongoing efforts to develop sustainable systems that prioritize the safety, dignity, and long-term wellbeing of children.