The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared May 16th as a day to celebrate Lagos Boy Child while also calling for the protection of boy children to bridge the gap between the rights of boys and girls.
Speaking at a stakeholder’s engagement on the Review of Lagos Child’s Right Law 2015 and launch of the Lagos Boy Child Initiative, an initiative of the Office of the First Lady, Lagos State with the theme ‘The Child Development Framework in Lagos State: Addressing The Boy Child Gap, the governor said the initiative would ensure the right of boy child is not relegated while much attention is paid to that of girl child.
Sanwo-Olu said now is the right time for the boy child’s right to go through an amendment adding that the Lagos State Government would support the amendment and the initiative.
He commended the First Lady for championing the cause of boy children, noting that the initiative has turned into a Movement that will be supported by the government.
“The First Lady has ensured that the initiative grows and turns into a Movement where the presence of girl children has not reduced while ensuring that we have not inadvertently relegated the boy child.,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He also urged parents to protect their boy children against abuses such as sexual and drug abuse the same way they do girl children.
“As leaders and parents, there is a need to protect boy children. There are a lot of programmes they can be taking to repair the imbalance so we can have a society we can be proud of. We will support the initiative to whatever level that it is required,” Sanwo-Olu promised.
While giving reasons for birthing the initiative, the convener of the Lagos Boy Child Initiative, LBC, and First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said her conviction that boy children also deserve intentional guidance, support and opportunities gave birth to the initiative.
She thanked the Governor for backing the initiative with a future that extends far beyond any individual or administration, and designating every 16th of May as the Lagos State Boy Child Day, an indication of the administration’s commitment to inclusive child development and gender-responsive governance.
“This singular decision goes beyond policy. It is a profound statement that every child matters and that true gender equality is achieved not by competing interests but by ensuring that every child, girl or boy, is given the opportunity to realise his or her God-given potential.”
Sanwo-Olu further said reviewing the Child’s Rights Law 2015 will strengthen the legal and institutional framework in ways that respond to emerging realities while safeguarding the best interests of every child.
“The Child’s Rights Law has served our State remarkably well. However, society continues to evolve. New realities such as technology-facilitated violence, online exploitation, changing family structures, mental health concerns, juvenile justice reforms and inclusive child development require that our laws evolve accordingly.
It is therefore gratifying that implementation of the existing law and practical amendments will make it even more responsive to contemporary challenges,” she said.
She said reviewing the law would also institutionalise the Lagos Boy Child Initiative within the legal and policy framework but assured that it will not shift attention from advancing the rights of the girl child.
“Nurturing boys intentionally today is an investment in safer families, stronger communities and a more prosperous Lagos tomorrow. Lagos State has taken the lead. We hope many governments, institutions and development partners across the world will join this movement because every child deserves equal opportunity to thrive,” she said.
