Street trading: Criminalization of girl-child and its implication toward attaining SDGs in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Involvement of Girl-child in mechanisms of household survival amidst economic brunt and its prevalent in contemporary-Nigeria and its attendant worries, call for critical review. Criminalization of Girl-child’ street trading which is ill-disposed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as championed by UN and comity of countries across the world. Therefore, the study examines street trading; criminalization of Girl-child and its implication toward attaining SDGs in Tarminus, Faringada and Dilimi, Jos metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. The study guided by Functionalist theory. A mixed research method (quantitative and qualitative techniques) was used to select 120 respondents within the total population of Jos metropolis. The findings revealed that girl-child involvement in street trading is demeaning academic performances, behavioural and socio psychological development of Girl-child in Jos metropolis. This is by exposing them to substance abuse, denial of social-interactions among peers for pr meaningful association. Furthermore, poverty is seen as a major harbinger of street trading based on the disinclined economic situation in the country. However, the study asserts that, provision of basic infrastructure and employment opportunities in the rural areas will indirectly minimize youth migrating to the cities. Suffices, it will greatly reduce the unprecedented inflows of people in urban areas/cities and the need to contend for survival. Girl-child into street trading promotes underdevelopment as it distracts the children from school. It is on this premise that, it negates the aspiration and attainment of SDGs (agenda 5 and 8).