The Anambra State Government on Friday said it would commence the arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians who engage children in street hawking and begging.
Mrs. Ify Obinabo, Anambra State’s Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, made the disclosure on the sidelines of the celebration of the International Day of Families, in Awka
Obinabo said it would ensure the survival, development and protection of all children in the state, as well as serve as deterrent to parents and guardians.
“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.
“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,” she said.
The Commissioner said the ministry would continue to sensitise 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 a sense of belonging, not abuse or domestic labour,” she said.