Child Labour : Stakeholders Call For Collective Action To Tackle Challenges…

At a public lecture to commemorate 2023 World Day Against Child Labour, stakeholders called for collective actions against unfair treatment on any child under one’s care.

The event, organized for women leaders from communities across the state by the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare; in collaboration with a non-governmental organization, Bee Charity Outlook Foundation, had as its theme, “Social justice for all, End child labour,”

In her remarks, the first female Governor in Nigeria, and former Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, noted that as a Governor; she signed the Child Rights Bill into law to encourage equal and better treatment of every child, warning that unfair treatment of children has negative effects on the society.

She noted that Anambra has always taken the lead in many positive ways, including signing the Child Rights Law, and urged the Soludo administration to sustain efforts at creating opportunities for children to grow and realize their potential.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo, who thanked Dame Virgy Etiaba for her legacies in service as the first female Governor; during which she signed the Child Rights Law, urged women, as agents of change, to take the knowledge of Child Rights Law down to the grassroot, warning that ignorance of the law is not an excuse upon arrest for engaging in child labour.

Speaking on Child Rights Law of Anambra State, the Chief Magistrate, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Court Awka, Genevieve Osakwe, noted that anyone below eighteen years is still a child, and warned against child labour; as five years jail term or fine of fifty thousand awaits defaulters.

On measures to take to end child labor, Dr. Uju Muokwelu, of the Department of Guidance and Counseling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, among other things, called for vigilance, knowledge of relevant laws, discourse on implications of child labor, lending of helping hand to the needy, provision of affordable school for every child, as well as voting the right people into power.

The traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka, who noted that Igbo culture frowns at child labour, warned perpetrators against applicable sanctions.

President of Anambra State Association of Town Union, ASATU, Women Wing, Lady Ify Okaro, and Woman Leader of Akpu community in Orumba South Local Government Area, Dr. Kate Obioji, commended organizers of the event, and promised to take knowledge gathered to the grassroot to address child labour.