By Grace Ofurum
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Imo State, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, has strongly condemned the rising cases of child labour, abuse of house helps, and mistreatment of children by step-parents. Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, 14th November 2024, Ugwu expressed concern over the growing number of cases her ministry is handling involving child abuse.
She urged parents and guardians to refrain from sending their children as house helps, emphasizing that many of these children are deprived of education and basic rights. “No matter how hard it is for your family, it is better to keep your child at home and manage the best you can,” Ugwu said.
The commissioner also issued a stern warning to step-parents who victimize or brutalize children under their care, promising that the ministry would ensure those found guilty face the full force of the law. “You don’t normalize evil and expect it to stand,” she stated.
Ugwu decried the persistent problem of underage children hawking during school hours, labeling it as child labour and a crime against humanity. To address the issue, the ministry is advocating for the establishment of a special court to prosecute offenders swiftly.
She called on the public and civil society organizations to continue reporting incidents of child abuse, stressing that silence makes one complicit. Ugwu also expressed gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodinma and First Lady Barrister Chioma Uzodimma for their support of the ministry’s work.
The commissioner concluded by urging citizens to be kind and to pray for continued progress in the state.
