Families Are Nations has called for the legal regulation of house helps and childcare providers to prevent cases of child abuse and neglect.
This call follows the recent conviction of two maids charged with manslaughter and fatal negligence after failing to report that a two-year-old child in their care had swallowed a watch battery, which led to the child’s death a few days later.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Families Are Nations President, Judith Mwila, expressed sorrow over the incident and emphasized the need for a policy framework to regulate the qualifications of domestic workers entrusted with children.
“There should be a system in place to verify the professionalism and empathy of those employed to care for children,” said Ms. Mwila.
Ms. Mwila also advised working mothers to strike a balance between their careers and parental responsibilities, stressing that young children need more direct parental care rather than full dependence on domestic workers.
By Cynthia Lupiya
