Africa-Press – Angola. The head of the National Institute for Children (INAC) in central Huambo province, Eusébio Evaristo, promised on Tuesday to strengthen actions to promote, protect and defend the rights of minors, focusing on the prevention of child abuse.
Speaking on Tuesday, the official said the initiative includes awareness campaigns, community work and coordination with families, schools and social partners to ensure the well-being and integral development of children.
He recalled that in 2025, 3,422 cases of violence against children were recorded, compared to 2,379 in 2024.
Evaristo added that these include eight cases of accusations of witchcraft practices, 21 of fleeing the maternity ward, 51 sexual abuses, 74 of failure to provide food, 81 cases of family abandonment and 160 of physical aggression, 181 of mistreatment and 456 of fleeing the paternity ward.
He added the record of 101 cases of child abandonment, 507 situations of births of children under 14 to 17 years of age, 512 custody disputes, 513 child labor exploitation and 582 cases of early pregnancy.
The INAC official explained that the crimes were committed by bank employees (five), nurses (24), taxi drivers (74), National Police officers (83), members of the Angolan Armed Forces (105), teachers (158) and community members (902).
He highlighted that in response to cases of child rape and abuse, the institution has established 140 child rights protection networks, distributed across 16 of the 17 municipalities in Huambo province.
Evaristo lamented the fact that 177 children had been involved in various criminal acts.
Given this scenario, he said that the institution will not only prevent but also hold perpetrators accountable, without losing sight of the absolute priority of the physical and emotional well-being of children.
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