ADDIS ABABA – Stakeholders should combine efforts to protect the rights of children and domestic workers, the Addis Ababa Women, Children and Social Affairs Bureau urged.
A panel discussion held yesterday in Addis Ababa highlighted the need to further promoting the rights of children and domestic workers.
During the discussion, Bureau Head, Woinshet Zerihun called for the protection of the rights of children, domestic workers to ensure their freedoms and socio-economic benefits.
The Head reiterated that legal frameworks and tangible agreements between employers and employees are essential to protect children’s rights, including advocacy initiatives with various training programs.
She highlighted those measures to combat child labor exploitation and ensure the wellbeing of vulnerable children as well as domestic workers in the city.
She also pointed out the detrimental role of manipulators who facilitate the exploitation of children and domestic workers for personal gain, calling for justice and stricter legal repercussions for such offenders.
Woinshet emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among stakeholders in working together with understanding and a commitment to address the intertwined issues of domestic women’s abuse and child labor exploitation to uphold the good values of country’s culture.
Andinet Ethiopian Domestic Workers Union President, Hirut Abera expressed that her organization protects the rights of domestic workers.
“We provide free legal support and raise awareness among employers to ensure that domestic workers are not exploited, receive timely salaries, and work in safe environments. In recognition of their rights, setting minimum wage and establishing a legal framework, is critical,” Hirut stated.
Addis Ababa Justice Office Legal Advice and Awareness Prosecutor, Hidiat Getachew explained that absence of governing laws that protect domestic workers lead to exploitation so to create a conducive environment for domestic workers, it requires legislation that takes their needs into consideration and clearly outlines their rights and responsibilities in relation to their employers.
She emphasized that the collective responsibility to advocate for the rights of domestic workers and children in order to create a more just and equitable society is the urgent call of the day towards ending child labor exploitation in the nation.
Panelists agreed that addressing children abuse and domestic workers violence is paramount to improving working conditions and ensuring education rights for children and needs support from civil society organizations.
The event, co-hosted by the Addis Ababa Women and Children Social Affairs Bureau and Hope for Children, aimed at raising awareness and encourage stakeholders to take action against the abuse of children and domestic workers.
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
The Ethiopian Herald December 25/2024
