Mrs Uche Chigbo, the Founder/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PHEW Foundation International has called for the full enforcement and domestication of the Child’s Right Act (CRA) in the country.
Chigbo told the newsmen on Monday in Warri that the development would help to achieve the protection rights of the child against abuse and exploitations in the society.
Recalled that the about 11 States in the country had yet to domesticate the CRA that was adopted by the Federal Government in 2003 to guarantee the rights of the children.
Chigbo said that children were more vulnerable and at risk of being trafficked and used for child labor, domestic servitude and and other forms of exploitations.
“To reduce or completely eradicate child trafficking, government need to enforce the Child’s Right Act to protect the children against exploitations.
“The victims of child trafficking are between the ages of 11 and 18.
“Government should adopt poverty eradication strategies by way of creating employment to engage the youth and adult to eliminate poverty.
“There is also the need to intensify sensitisation of both children and parents on the need to live within their limits,” she said.
The NGO founder said that child trafficking had a negative impact on the economy noting that the victims were denied right to education or skill acquisitions.
She, however, said that trafficking was on the decease due to the establishment of government interventioning agencies like the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and others.
“Child trafficking is decreasing due to the intervention of several NGO’s and government agencies.
“But a lot still need to be done in the aspect of funding and creating an enabling environment for them to operate,” she said.
Chigbo said that PHEW Foundation International which came into existence in 2018 had done a lot of sensitisation in the grassroot and also schools aimed at changing the mindset of the youth.
“We have done several skills training for youth such as electrical and solar system installation, tailoring. We have planted trees to help protect the environment.
“We have also empowered women with foodstuffs, sensitisation on proper waste management and campaign against child trafficking amongst others,” she said.
