FG urged to legislate against baby sale

THE Federal government has been urged to come up with a harsh legislate against the tide of baby sale industry in Nigeria so as to protect the dignity of women and children in the country.

This position was contained in a communiqué issued weekend, at the end of a two-day conference on gender organized by the University of Abuja Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement.

Participants at the conference comprising academicians and other stakeholders, observed with great concern the preponderance of “Homes” established by some unscrupulous persons for the purpose harvest of babies for sale.

They also noted with dismay that some women had become active perpetrators of violence against women and children, adding that urgent steps including legislation would help stem the wave of such crime.

The communiqué obtained by Nigerian Tribune, said: “We have noticed the growing trend of sale of babies in the country, and sadly, women have become active perpetrators of this kind of violence against women as seen in the obnoxious industry in Nigeria.

“It is against this backdrop that we call on the government to legislate against this unfortunate development as that will not only send a warning signal to the perpetrators that they would pay dearly for their crime, but also help significantly to protect the dignity of women and that of our children.”

The conference with the theme, “Perspectives on Gender, leadership and Development,” also noted the rising cases of sexual harassment, exploitation and environmental pollution, and called for a more strategic approach to continually sensitise the public and protect women from becoming victims.

It challenged women and child rights activists never to relent in their advocacy until all women rights are protected and gender equality ensured in their work places and even homes.

The conference participants noted that without sustained creation of public awareness and keeping tabs on the government, some of the gains made in this line of advocacy would have been eroded.

On girl-child education, the conference said, despite growing awareness concerning their state, one third of all girls in Nigeria are still out of school.

While calling on the governments at all levels to vigorously pursue the education of the girl child, it charged parents to take the education of their children much more seriously.

The conference asserted that female genital mutilation or cutting has social, physical, sexual and psychological health implications for women across the globe, and that it should be handled with more serious attention that it deserves.