@eLdavis
Child Labour & Child Marriage
According to the United States Department of labour, more than thirty-one percent (31%) of Nigerian children (roughly over 14,000,000 children) aged five to fourteen are working children, who are engaged in various kinds of job, be it forced labour or voluntary in various sectors. Cases of child labour has been noticed in the agricultural sector for example, where children participate in the production of cassava, yam, etc. Even in the mining industry were they mine and crush granite.
Underage children can also be found on highways, chasing cars begging for aems or selling various goods like pure water, drinks,eggs, groundnut etc. Many Nigerian farms today totally depends on family labour in the operation of these farms. In most cases these families cannot afford to send these children to school,hence they used them in the fields. While in other cases the children and even the parents value their farms than education. A perfect example for these is Cross River State in Nigeria,Bateriko Boki East local Government to be precise. Were children would skip school all through the term only to show up on exams days with the excuse that they have been busy at the farm. Were a father could spend money on drinks but find it hard to pay school fees.
Early marriage is prevalent in Nigeria most especially in the northern region, based on the belief that early marriage prevent their young ones from way-ward life style. in most cases one of the major cause of early marriage has been associated with poverty. Many young girls are married off at the age fifteen to one rich chief or elder who has more than one wife, some are even married off at the age of nine. These girls are easily subjected to disease and domestic violence and no access to education due to entering motherhood at an early age.
All these clearly goes againt the Human Right #***Right To Education*** What can be done? It is the duity of the government to protect the right of their future leaders, by at least creating free education in most of these commmunities, the people should be enlightened about the benifits of education and the effects of early marriage. It is not just the job of the government alone, tho they play a major role. Those with resources should also reach out to these communities, it could be an NGO or a group of persons. What about you? Are there children who lack education around you? You dont need to have all the wealth in the world to help out. On your own teach them. Reach out the little ways you can.
12 comments
Child labour has become something common in our country now and it's causing a lot of harm to children's so it's really important that the one united nations will say something about it
Yes child labour and early marriage has helped killed many great minds
Child labour has been ongoing in the world especially in africa and this needs to stop if we are to make africa a better place for all
True... Actions need to take place
Child labor so many times lead to early marriage, when the child in question see no future in life or opportunity that could bring about a big change in life. Something big has to be done to this
Very true, most see it as their last resort
Africa as a continent is going through a whole lot and child labor is one of them
Africa needs serious attention
We need to positively invest in our children . They are our only hope.
True,their future matters
Poverty contribute to child labor and abuse most of the time. Children that should be sent to school are being sent to hawk goods in the street
Yes because most of these parents are not educated thus they see no value for education