By Jerry Olomolaye
An NGO, Hope for Second Chance Foundation (HOSEC) has advised parents to stop all stereotypes against the boy child and focused on their mental health and development.
Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile, founder, HOSEC gave the advice in Abuja, while commemorating the international day of the boy child.
Otesile, who lamented over neglect in the development process, abuses and other forms of discrimination against the boy child, urged all to refocus on enabling the growth of his potentials.
“Today, I call on every parent to give attention to the boy child. I call on the government to equally invest in the cause of the boy child.
“I call on Donor agencies, International, National, State and Local NGOs and CBOs to give heed to the travails of the boy child, he is first a child and all children matter! Let us stop the stereotypes.
“The only way to end Gender Based Violence is to break the cycle of abuse.“When one is abused, without support or intervention, with time, he or she will perpetrate one form of abuse or the other on another,” she said.
According to her, the society has failed the boy child as it has stifled their emotions, pains, fears under the guiles of being ‘heroes’, over pampered and inflated their self-importance.
She, therefore, urged all to stop all forms of discrimination against the boy child and be allowed to develop to his full potentials.