The Director of Social Services at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Ms. Titilayo Tade, has urged parents to fulfill their responsibility by giving equal treatment to both male and female children.
Tade, who is also a suicide prevention advocate, made the call on the sidelines of a lecture organized by Inner Wheel District 911, Nigeria, to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Friday in Lagos.
The 16 Days of Activism is an annual international campaign held from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10 to promote the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Tade said every child, regardless of gender, deserves equal treatment both at home and in society. She condemned the practice in some families where male children are treated as superior to females and warned parents against raising boys with a sense of entitlement.
According to her, instilling entitlement in male children contributes to GBV by fostering the belief that they are superior and should dominate their female counterparts.
She said parents play a vital role in shaping children’s behavior, adding that meaningful progress in the fight against GBV depends on parents’ commitment to instilling strong values and moral principles at home.
Tade stressed that creating a loving home environment where children are taught respect and treated equally would significantly help prevent GBV in society.
“This is what harms society today: when a male child grows up with a sense of entitlement and superiority, he is more likely to exhibit gender-based violence.
“Parents must desist from treating male children as superior to girls. Every child should receive equal treatment.
“Prevention of GBV starts at home. Parents must teach good morals, values, and self-esteem. Children carry these lessons into society, helping to reduce GBV and make communities safer.
“It is unjust that, in some families, the girl child is expected to perform all domestic chores while the male child is allowed to play or relax,” she said.
Also speaking, a Clinical Psychologist at LUTH, Mr. Olumide Okeowo, expressed concern about the prevalence of gender violence in schools, homes and workplaces, noting that it often resulted in long-term negative outcomes.
Okeowo said GBV could cause serious physical, emotional and psychological harm, sometimes lasting from childhood into adulthood.
He listed possible physical consequences to include injuries, wounds, fractures and, in severe cases, death.
“Gender violence has extensive consequences, including depression, isolation, drug abuse, fractures, injuries and low self-esteem.
“If the violence is severe and victims do not receive proper support, their self-esteem may be damaged, potentially leading to depression,” he said.
