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By Ozioma Onyenweaku
COVID-19 is one pandemic that has shocked the whole world bringing all human activities to a standstill; grounded all activities, and directed all attention to itself.
How to curb COVID-19 has become the sole goal and direction of all human activities. All the expensive and state-of-the art vehicles, all the private jets, and all, are all parked, and gathering dust; and all the designer clothes no longer make any meaning and matter no more since there is nowhere to go to, no functions to attend, and no more shows! Everything has suddenly proved to be vanity! Our only desire now is to keep breathing. Man’s preoccupation now is to ensure that we keep breathing.
I have come to a realization now, that there is basically one common basic need of mankind, old and young, rich and poor, black and white: the need to breathe.
After all, you need to breathe to be able to need and long for food, shelter and clothing which hitherto have been termed the basic needs of man. As Covid-19 collapses all human structures, one structure stands, and stands as a refuge, the home. To fight this monster, we can only, and must, be home to contain the spread of the virus.
As the home is the only refuge, then it is time to repair the roofs, mend the walls and fill up all holes, figuratively, speaking. Time to bond with family members and rekindle any dying affection.
It is important to use this opportunity to give the home front the attention it deserves. Before now, the harsh economic situation, and the struggle by parents to make ends meet have resulted in the neglect of the homefront.
Now we have ample time on our hands now to remedy that. Parents, this is the time to pay attention and tend to the beautiful flowers with which God has adorned our lives and homes, that is, the children. Do you know that while you were out there working, your children might have picked up some bad habits without you knowing? Make use of this time to tactfully find out and see how to readjust them.
Use this time too to find out those hidden distresses, fears and anxieties of the children. Use this time to peer into their affairs, and be involved. Could it be possible that your child was/is being abused and bullied at home or school? This is time to find out. Do please find out. Make effective use of this opportunity to teach your children those little life lessons they need in order to grow up to responsible adults.
I know you have always desired to do that but for time; now the time is here with the COVID-19 lockdown. Do you still remember that research has shown that about 80% of child sexual abuses take place in the child’s home, and are perpetrated by the people the child knows and is close to?
The perpetrators could include the fathers, the uncles, family friends, family doctors, lesson teachers, pastors, domestic workers and the list goes on. Is your home safe and protective of the child from sexual abuse and molestation? You have all the time in your hand now to x-ray your home to ascertain how safe your home is for the child. The home is meant to be a haven for every child. What are the signs you can look out for to ascertain if your child is a victim of sexual abuse and molestation? Look out for the next article.
Meanwhile, let me officially introduce and welcome you to THE WOCH SPACE where we shall be delving into issues that relate to women and children including their rights, their welfare and protection. We shall also be bringing news and events, the bad, the good and the ugly as they relate to, and touch on, women and children in our society. So that at the good, we give ourselves the thumbs up, we work at correcting the bad while frowning at the ugly ones so as to make a better space for women and children in our society. You are welcome. Keep a tap here. Till our next meeting here, maintain social distancing. Stay home. Stay safe.
THE WOCH SPACE With OZIOMA ONYENWEAKU [email protected]