UNICEF, Partners Launch Positive Parenting Programme to Strengthen Child Protection in Ekiti
Korede Abdullah 
ADO-EKITI, Nigeria – UNICEF, in partnership with Value Female Network Africa (VFN Africa) and the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has launched the Gender-Transformative Positive Parenting Programme 1.0 to strengthen child protection and promote safer family environments across the state.
Ekiti joins five other Nigerian states participating in the initiative, which began with a two-day training for community facilitators on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday.
The trained facilitators are expected to coordinate a 10-week community parenting school, directly engaging about 800 parents and caregivers, while wider household outreach and peer learning activities are projected to reach more than 16,000 people.
Participants will also receive training on preventing sexual violence, female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, birth registration and child protection referral pathways.
Parents Key to Child Protection
UNICEF Child Protection Specialist, Mr. Denis Onose, said parents and caregivers remain the first line of protection for children.
“By combining practical parenting skills with information on prevention, referral pathways and community protection structures, this programme will help families respond earlier and more confidently,” he said.
Executive Director of VFN Africa, Dr. Costly Aderibigbe Saba, described the initiative as an important opportunity to strengthen families and protect vulnerable children.
According to her, the programme equips parents with practical knowledge to raise children in safe, nurturing environments while addressing harmful traditional practices.
The Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will coordinate implementation, community mobilisation and linkages with child protection and gender-based violence response services.
The initiative ultimately seeks to build stronger families, safer communities and improved protection for children across the state.
About the Author
Hope Ajayi 
Oluwafunbi Bello 