Anambra State government to arrest and prosecute parents of children caught hawking

ANAMBRA State government has announced plans to attest and prosecute the parents and guardians of any children found hawking or begging on the streets as part of a drive to uphold the right of the child under international law.

Yesterday, speaking at this year’s International Day of Families, Ify Obinabo, the Anambra State commissioner for women and social welfare, said the measure would also serve as a deterrent to parents and guardians. She explained that the action would ensure the survival, proper development and protection of every child in the state.

Mrs Ify Obinabo said: “The rate of hawking and begging on our streets by children and the rate of child sexual abuse, trafficking and maltreatment in the state are alarming. The use of children for domestic labour, negligence and maltreatment on the part of parents and guardians contradict 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 added that her ministry would continue to sensitise parents on the need to send their children to school and prioritise their upbringing, describing education and proper upbringing of children as the only way to eradicate poverty and crime in the society. According to Mrs Obinabo these children need care, love, support and sense of belonging, not abuse or domestic labour.