Street Trading And Rape; Causes And Effect

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

Abstract

Street trading and rate, the causes and the effect in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The objective or aim of this study are is to proffer solution to the causes of street trading and rape in Oredo Local Government of Edo State. The population of the study were made up of one hundred and twenty people selected from six community or wards in Oredo Local Government Area. The instrument used for the investigation of data was the questionnaire. The researcher hereby recommended policy maker to eliminate street trading and to enlighten the people or citizens on the causes of rape and its effect in Oredo Local Government Area.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

The increase of street trading and rape over the years in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State cannot be overemphasized. Any critical observer of Nigerians socio-economic condition will agree that the living condition of some people are below standard. It can be observed that majority of these street trading are exposed to danger, for instance female street vendors frequently become victims of rate, this is dangerous because forced sexual activity may cause infection that may cause irreparable damage to her reproductive system. This project therefore will examine street trading and rape in Oredo Local government Area of Edo State.

Oredo Local Government Area is one of the three local government areas that make up the state capital, Benin City with its administrative headquarter at king square in the city centre. The people there are mostly sole proprietors, small scale traders and also street traders and as such could not afford large scale enterprises, hence they embrace little that can yield income for them to cater for themselves and families. Some examples of the traders done on street are;

Sales of recharge cards
Mini provision kiosks
Retail shops
Selling of corn
Roasting of plantain (i.e. bole). Etc.

Street trading according to Uwoyo (1995) is a trade done on a public road in city, town or village. It is as a result of low financial status of the people with the inability of creating lager business enterprises that can yield good income street trading in Oredo Local Government Areas is mostly caused by poverty. For example; a commercial motorcyclist popularly known as Okada Riders, with a family if 6 (six) children and whose wife finds it difficult to use the money gotten from his Okada Business to cater for his family will set up a little sole proprietorship business or give his wife little money to open any street trade to help the family. However in another view by Nwoyo (2005), street trading can also be caused by lack of education, high birth rate, frustration, etc.

Okeyo (1998) gave the following as the main criteria used to describe street trading:

It is usually sited on streets
It is usually a sole proprietorship business
Financial strength
Scale of value
Relative size and initial capital outlay

Basically, as a manifestation of various attempts by the developing world to chart the course of new economic growth and development, it is also vital to note the prospects; Ogoke (2005) explained that in Nigeria, street trading constitutes the largest proportion of societal trade sector.

1.2 Statement of Problem

This work is designed to show the causes and the effect of rape.
To examine the factor responsible for rape.
This research work is also designed to suggest workable solution to the problems of street trading and rape.

1.3 Objective of the Study

To examine the factors responsible for street trading
To enlighten people about the effect of street trading and rape.
To bring government attention to street trading.
To proffer solution to these factors responsible for street trading and rape.

1.4 Research Questions

What are the causes of street trading?
Does street trading effects the people in Oredo Local Government?
What are the reasons for rape
How can street trading be minimized in Oredo Local Government Area.
What are the role of parents in street trading?
What are the role of government in the street trading?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The major significance of this study is to proffer solution to the menace of street trading and rape in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. it is hoped that the study will help in minimizing problems associated with street trading and will increase the body of knowledge on the operation of street trading which is in form of sole Proprietorship business, it is also helped that the study will be useful to economic planners, sole proprietors, street traders and decision makers.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This research work is limited to Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. It is to examine the causes and the effect of street trading and rape in Oredo Local Government Area. The validity of this entire result is limited to the accuracy of the information supplied by the respondents.

The researcher encounters some constraints which limited the scope of the study;

Finance:

Due to the nature of office and business within the scope, the researcher spends a lot of money on visiting, traveling from one location to another, from one office to the other and even had to repeat a visit more than three times to seek for information, all these involves money considering the financial constraint of the researcher and limited resources available to her.

Sources of Information:

Many registered and non-registered staffs of citizens and residents in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State were reluctant to give out or provide information about the research, since they believe that street trading and rape is something very confidential and therefore could not open up to the researcher.

Inadequate Record Keeping:

Some of the respondents visited were unable to present complete and comprehensive records of their business .while some were not keeping proper records of their business activities and as such could not give adequate and correct information on the effect of vat on their businesses rippling on the economy of Nigeria.

Time:

Time constraint has been another vital limitation and obstacle towards effective realization of the main objectives of this study. Time was really not on my side since I have to combine the little time left with my academic work and preparation.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Street Trading:

Street trading is defined as the selling or offering for sale of any article in the street.Traders who use the public highway to sell goods or services must have a street trading licence to carry out trade from a designated site/pitch and display of goods in front of a shop.

Rape:

Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without that person’s consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual disability or is below the legal age of consent.

Street Hawking:

Street hawking is the commonest form of child labor in Nigeria. Although street hawking is very pervasive, there is the increasing need to fully understand its pattern and effects on those involved in hawking particularly adolescents who combine schooling with hawking.

Poverty:

According to the WIKEPEDIA, the free encyclopaedia (2007), poverty is the deprivation of those things that determine the quality of life including food, clothing, shelter and good drinking water, but also such intangible things as the opportunity to learn and enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is pertinent to note that this research was aimed at examining street trading and rape: causes and it consequences.

In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges associated with street hawking and rape cases in Nigeria.

5.2 Summary

Street trading and rape issues remains a major problem and challenge in Nigeria (Olutunde, 2013; Ugochukwu et al., 2012; Amoo et al., 2012). In this study, over half of the hawkers were children between the ages of 10 and 19 years. The involvement of children in street hawking constitutes child labor and is a form of child abuse (Child Right Act (CRA) 2003 Section 21 – 40). The International Labor Organization has estimated that over 200 million children aged 5 to 17 years are engaged in child labor (UNICEF, 2012). Over 10 million of these children live and work on the streets and this number has increased with global population growth, urbanization and rural-urban migration (International Labour Office. The End of Child Labour, 2006). The International Convention on the Right of the Child held in 2000 which hosted all the member states of the United Nations agreed that every child must be protected against all forms of exploitation, indecent or degrading treatment, including child labor, abduction and sale (UNICEF, 2000). Policies regarding child labor in Nigeria, are contained in the Child Rights Act passed by the National Assembly (Child Right Act (CRA) 2003 Section 21 – 40). The bill, in accordance with the decision made at the International Convention ensures that every child born is given the fullest opportunity for self-realization and development (Amoo et al., 2012). In spite of this law, the streets of major towns and cities in Nigeria are flooded with children who sell various items (Olutunde, 2013; Ugochukwu et al., 2012; Ashimolowo et al., 2010; Ogundele and Ojo, 2007).The findings is in line with Oruwari (c.f., 1996), Okojie (c.f., 1987) and Aderinto (c.f., 2000) assertions where they likewise linked the phenomenon of street trading and rape to the socio-economic status of parents. The findings on the cause and effects of street trading and child labour were made possible through formulated and tested research questions which are as follows:

Does the government play any major role in minimizing street trading in Oredo Local Government in Edo State?
Does street trading affects the people in Oredo Local Government?
Can Street trading and rape be minimized in Oredo Local Government Area.
What are the reasons for rape?
What are the role of parents in street trading?

With respect to the first research question, the individuals polled suggested that the government play any major role in minimizing street trading, which is why the CRA (c.f., 2003) called for the protection of the rights of children. The second research question was answered largely in the affirmative with 98% of all respondents attesting to a compromised socio-economic situation (c.f., Aderinto, 2000). Finally, third research question was tested and it was confirmed that Street trading and rape be minimized in Oredo Local Government Area.

5.3 Conclusion

Street trading and rape has negative effects on the Rights of the Child. It is indeed, inhuman for anyone to engage a child in money making venture. Such a child is denied basic education which is another important right of every child. Moreover, children who engaged in street trading or any hard labour may physically wear away before they actually reach the productive age in the economy. Some sustained lifelong injuries which would hinder them from contributing meaningfully to the development and growth of the Nigerian economy. Many children had died as a resulting of hawking in traffics through rape cases. Nigeria as a responsible nation of the world is expected to practically demonstrate her commitment to the global fight against child abuse in all its ramifications.
In spite the fact that the government has made several attempts to curb the high rate of street trading and rape in Nigeria, the practice still persists in most urban areas in the country. Some institutions and non-governmental organizations like Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), The Nigerian Children’s Parliament (NCP), African Women Empowerment Group (AWEG), National Council of Child Right Advocates of Nigeria (NACCRAN) and National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) have been established to address the problem of street hawking but the problem seems to be unabated.

5.4 Recommendations

On this note, the researchers offer the following concise recommendations:

Government should ensure that existing laws on street hawking which is a form of child labour are strengthened and made more effective in order to discourage parents and guardians who send their children to hawk on the road or streets. These laws should be implemented rather than enacting new ones.
Government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) should organize sensitization programmes in form of seminars and workshops to enlighten and educate people on the problems and dangers associated with street hawking. They should be informed about the mental, physical social and psychological consequences of street hawking on children.
Government should try as much as possible to alleviate unemployment and poverty which are the major factors that encourage street hawking. Individuals who are in the private sector should join hands with government in order to create employment for the citizens. The Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) set up by the government should be functional and give preference to the poor in the society. In this way, parents will be gaining income and so will not be expecting their children to hawk and earn income for the family.
Parents should be encouraged to engage in family planning. This will enable them tohave only the number of children they can cater for. It has been observed that some parents who earn low income usually send their children out to hawk on the road in order to earn money for the financial upkeep of their families since their meagre salary cannot take care oftheir family needs.
Street hawking encourages, promotes and generates other social problems like teenage pregnancy, drug addiction, prostitution, armed robbery, pick pocketing. With this at the back of our minds, families, schools, government and nongovernmental organizations should join hands to ensure that this social ill is alleviated in the society.
Government at federal, state and local levels should embark on revival of universal Basic Education (UBE) programme launched in 1999 which has been ineffective since its inception. This will go a long way to ensure that education from primary to junior secondary school level is compulsory and free. Children who are future leaders should have free access to basic education.

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