From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Experts in the agricultural sector in Kogi state have called for a review in the Child right implementation which will serve as a milestone to ensure maximum protection of women and children in the oil palm sector.
The call was contained in a communique issued at the end of a one- day stakeholders engagement forum on promotion of women and children protection policy in the oil palm sector organised by Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID), Development and Female Gender Initiative, Youth and Women Health Empowerment Initiative, and Intellect Associate and J Limited funded by Solidaridad West Africa.
Signed by the the Executive Director of PIBCID, Halima Sadiq on behalf of the other organizations, the group further urged the Ministry of Agric to mainstream child protection to agriculture and oil palm sector in Kogi state.
While calling for sustained synergy between actors to protect women and children in the agricultural sector, the communique also solicited a legislation before the State House of Assembly to protect this group in the oil palm value chain.
In the same vein, while giving an overview of oil palm production, concern for women and children in the oil palm sector, an agricultural expert who doubles as the facilitator of the programme, Mr Friday Ogezi said despite huge effort over the years by actors in the oil palm sector, child risk in the oil palm landscape remains worrisome.
He noted that women on the ground of gender had also hampered development of this vulnerable group with contributing factors such as culture, lack of policies that addresses and protect their rights in the country.
The facilitator stressed on the right to protect women and children in the oil palm value chain adding that critical stakeholders must join hands together to actualize a policy that harness and protect this groups in the society.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Kogi state commissioner for agriculture, Mr David Apeh hinted that the Accelerated Agricultural Development Skills, (AADS), established by the current administration gives priority to women and Children in the state.
He however emphasized that over
1000 women and youths have been engaged by the government on its agricultural policy programme.
Stakeholders at the one day programme were drawn from civil societies, the agricultural sector, Judiciary, Legislative, and Executive arms of the state.
