The federal government in partnership with the Office of United Nations secretary general has agreed to end violence against children in Nigeria.

The minister of state for health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire made this known in Abuja while meeting with the special representative of United Nations secretary general, Marta Santos Pais.

The minister said that the Nigerian government was committed to ending all forms of violence against children.

“The government is committed to ending violence against children in Nigeria, the present administration opted for a slogan change, the change we always talk about is not just to the team but change of direction and ways of doing things and obviously one important  change is to address violence against children.

“Violence against children is unwholesome, medically it has negative effect on the emotional and mental health of the growing child and some of this damage last for life and some of the children will also grow up to become violent”

He said ending violence against children is a multi-sectorial task in which all the ministries which include health, justice, education, women affairs and social development would jointly work out strategies.

In her remarks the UN  representative said that Federal Ministry of Health had a greater role to play in ending violence against children.

“The ministry should develop a parent-child communication training manual on sexuality and on the health implications of violence against children,” she said.

She also urged the ministry to develop public health messages on violence against children and implement a public campaign to promote its awareness.