Anambra Govt Tightens Regulation of Children's Homes
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinyere Esther Onyekesi, stated this during a strategic meeting with the Association of Registered Community Children's Homes in Awka on Friday.
The meeting brought together the association's President, Mrs. Helen Eze, the Director of Child Welfare, Dr. Nkechi Anazodo, proprietors and heads of registered children's homes, alongside senior officials of the ministry.
Deliberations focused on enforcing operational standards for children's homes, tackling adoption fraud, revalidating registered facilities to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, as well as addressing funding challenges, staff capacity development and strengthening reporting mechanisms.
Speaking at the meeting, Mrs. Onyekesi reiterated the Soludo administration's zero-tolerance policy on child trafficking, illegal adoption and all forms of abuse against children.
She stressed that every children's home operating in Anambra State must comply fully with the provisions of the Anambra State Child Rights Law and other applicable regulations.
"The welfare and protection of every child under your care is non-negotiable. This Ministry will not hesitate to sanction any home found wanting or operating outside the law," the commissioner said.
Mrs. Onyekesi also announced that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and security agencies, would commence a statewide revalidation and inspection of both registered and unregistered children's homes.
According to her, only facilities that satisfy the prescribed operational and welfare standards will be permitted to continue operating in the state.
The commissioner said the exercise forms part of broader efforts by the state government to strengthen child welfare administration, improve accountability and ensure that vulnerable children receive adequate care in a safe and legally compliant environment.
In her remarks, the President of the Association of Registered Community Children's Homes, Mrs. Helen Eze, commended the commissioner for what she described as proactive leadership in the child protection sector.
She pledged the association's full support for the government's efforts to sanitize the system, promote transparency and ensure that all children's homes adhere to best practices in childcare and protection.
The commissioner was accompanied to the meeting by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry and heads of relevant departments.
Source: Office of the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Anambra State.
Tags: #Anambra, #Child Protection, #Women Affairs
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