Group tasks community leaders on protection of child domestic workers
Group tasks community leaders on protection of child domestic workers
The Center for the Advancement and Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable People (CAPRIGHTS-VP), an NGO, has urged community leaders in Alimosho to take stronger action against the maltreatment of child domestic workers.
The Project Officer, Protecting Child Domestic Workers from Maltreatment (PCDW) Project, Mercy Joshua, gave the advice during an advocacy visit to the Mosan-Okunola Community Development Committee (CDC) in Alimosho area of Lagos State.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the visit is part of CAPRIGHTS-VP’s ongoing sensitisation programmes under the PCDW Project, funded by the Freedom Fund.
Joshua, who led the delegation alongside the Communication Officer, Ugwueze Chinecherem and Security & Protection Officer, Agatha Chinedu, decried that millions of Nigerian children many of them “house girls” were engaged in forced, unpaid or underpaid labour.
Citing the International Labour Organisation (ILO 2021) data, she noted that an estimated 15 million children under age 14 were in work across Nigeria.
The team educated the community leaders on available reporting channels, including the toll-free line 0800 800 8001 and the TALKAM app, stressing that whistleblowers’ identities remained confidential.
“The CAPRIGHTS-VP’s preventive approach links vulnerable households such as widows, struggling mothers, and adolescent girls to government social protection and skill acquisition programmes.
“It is empowered through the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA),” she said.
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In his remarks, the CDC Chairman, Mr Tajudeen Fajobi, described the session as “a new and refreshing approach,” saying that few community programmes highlighted the realities of Omo-Odo (child domestic workers).
He pledged to support CAPRIGHTS-VP by providing data on vulnerable households and by encouraging the use of the reporting platforms.
Other members of the CDC engaged actively, raising questions about reporting procedures.
CAPRIGHTS-VP assured them that swift and appropriate action follows every verified report.
The NGO thanked the CDC for its warm reception and reaffirmed its commitment to working with community leaders and stakeholders to safeguard the rights and welfare of children in Alimosho.
