The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has issued a stern warning against the engagement of children below the age of 18 years as house helps, as well as maltreatment of vulnerable persons and other domestic violence.
She spoke during the parade of Anambra State-based lawyer, Adachukwu Okafor, who was recently arrested for allegedly assaulting her 10-year-old house-help.
According to the minister, the prevalence of child abuse, child labour, maltreatment, assault and other violence meted out on children would not be condoned.
She stressed that the government would no longer tolerate such acts, and severe punishment await perpetrators of inhuman treatment.
Kennedy-Ohanenye added that apart from the domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and others, the government would implement other strategies to stop the practice, as it has recently become prevalent in many parts of the country.
The minister said: “Thank you Mr. President for the power given to me to be able to protect the rights of women and children, and I am telling Nigerians no more taking a child under 18 as househelp.
