Anambra State’s government has voiced concern about the increasing number of child beggars and hawkers in the state, threatening to arrest and prosecute parents and guardians who involve their children in such crimes.
According to The PUNCH, this was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, on Saturday the Anambra State capital, during the celebrations of the International Day of Families and Children’s Day in Akwa.
Obinabo further said that the law would serve as a deterrent to parents and guardians and help every child in the state survive, develop, and be protected.
She warned parents and guardians that the ministry would begin arresting offenders starting next week for violating the Child Rights law by using children for domestic labour, neglect, or mistreatment.
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.
“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.
”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.”
