President Mohammadu Buhari will this morning launch Year of Action to End Violence Against Children.

The event is billed for 11 a.m. at Africa Hall, International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Other high pofile personalities expected to grace the event include Inspector General of Police Mr. Solomon Arase; Chief Judge, Abuja High Court; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi; U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Mrs. Maria E. Brewer; Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPoPC), Eze Duruiheoma; Centre for Disease Control (CDC); UNICEF Representative in Nigeria Jean Gough, Violence Against Children Goodwill Ambassador, Professor Anselm Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission; Representatives of the Nigerian Children’s Parliament; and children from different schools in Abuja.

A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by UNICEF said: “According to the Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey conducted by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the National Population Commission, approximately 6 out of every 10 children experience some form of violence before the age of 18. The Survey findings, released in Abuja on Tuesday September 10, also revealed that sexual, physical and emotional violence have significant negative impacts on the mental and physical wellbeing of children while they are under 18 years and into their adulthood.

“The drivers of violence are complex and efforts to prevent and respond to them must be holistic and multi-faceted. Under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social development, a multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) comprising Government bodies, media, civil society, faith based organisations, communities, parents/caregivers and children/wards; met several times over the past eight months and has come up with a range of priority responses to the survey findings.

“On September 15, the priority response actions will be announced and all Nigerians will be called to action to end violence against children.”

•Photo shows President Buhari.