…move would serve as deterrent to parents and guardians – Commissioner
The Anambra State Government said it would commence the arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians who engage children in street hawking and begging.
Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo who disclosed this on the sidelines of the celebration of the International Day of Families, said the move would ensure survival, development and protection of children in the state.
She added that it would as well serve as deterrent to parents and guardians.
She said, “The rate of children hawking and begging on our streets, the rate of child sexual abuse, trafficking and maltreatment in the state, has become alarming.
She said, “The use of children for domestic labour, negligence and maltreatment on the part of parents and guardians, contradicts the tenets of the Child Rights law.
“The ministry is ready to arrest and prosecute anyone – parents or guardians, who abuse the fundamental rights of children in the state.
“From next week, if we see any child hawking or begging on the street, that child will identify whoever engaged him or her and we will arrest the person.”
The Commissioner pledged the ministry’s continued sensitisation of parents on the need to send their children to school and prioritise their upbringing.
“Education and proper upbringing of our children is the only way to eradicate poverty and crime in our society.
“These children need care, love, support and sense of belonging, not abuse or domestic labour, ” she stressed.
