Engage Now Africa, Educates Schools and Community Leaders in the Eastern Region on Child Trafficking

Story Reported by Gideon Kotey

Engage Now Africa, in collaboration with the department of Social Welfare, and community opinion leaders created a community-based education forum and an education and sensitization durbar at five various communities in the Eastern Region: Birim, Birim North, New Abirem, and Suhum municipal assemblies. 

 

Madame Lydia Ohenewaa, the manager of Engage Now Africa (EMS), explained what trafficking is, what constitutes human trafficking, and the two types of human trafficking, domestic and cross-border trafficking, during an interview. She also took turns explaining the meaning of the term "child labor." 

According to the International Labour Organization, she defined child labor as work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children, and that interferes with the children's schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to leave school prematurely or by requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.

She also explained that the worst forms of child labor are those based on exploitation conditions; they include child labor, debt bondage, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and ritual servitude. 

The fundamental principles set out in the CRC and the four main categories of children's rights ensure their survival. rights—development rights, protection rights, and participation rights.

She explained again that, according to UNICEF, child protection refers to preventing and responding to violence, exploitation, and abuse against children. Child labor can have many negative consequences for children and their families. It thrives in a situation where the rule of law is weak and the people lack economic opportunities. 

The root causes of child labor are poverty and ignorance, and the development gap between cities and villages keeps widening. The solution to the above-mentioned challenge is to educate, create awareness, advocate against child labor, and facilitate a deeper understanding of child labor in vulnerable communities.

Hon. Florence Sebi, the woman organizer (NDC) from Birim North, also joined the team to help in distributing educational materials, such as brochures, fliers, books, and sanitary pads. She was there to grace the occasion. 

Mr. Frank Anim, the regional representative, concluded the training by encouraging parents to take good care of their children because they are the future leaders.  

Source: www.truthtvgh.com

Editor: Nii Amon