Introduction
Just imagine that a girl you used to know is now being forced to sleep with grown-up men for money in a faraway country. How does that make you feel? But do you know that 85% of Nigerian female victims of trafficking are being sexually exploited? The alarming increase of girls and women trafficking in Nigeria is disturbing and worrisome. In this article, we will consider the causes and prevention of female trafficking in Nigeria.
Causes of Female Trafficking
Its causes stem from a variety of factors but poverty is the main driver of female trafficking in Nigeria. Poverty has a way of changing people’s line of thought pushing them to do unthinkable things. The desperation for money to get out of poverty makes some people sell their girls either as housemaids or servants. Unfortunately, the children get there and are recruited into forced labor and prostitution. Protracted conflict and humanitarian crises also cause female trafficking. Some parts of Nigeria are frequently under the siege of terrorism and conflicts which results in the separation of children from their parents. In the process, these young girls become prey to human trafficking in the IDP camps, where they are deprived of the basic needs of life: food, clothing, and education, including parental guidance. Therefore, they are easily deceived and trafficked when these traffickers give them hope of a better life.
Prevention of Female Trafficking
In 2003, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) was created to fight against and prevent human trafficking. Since its establishment, NAPTIP has helped to protect several girls and women from trafficking and at the same time prosecute the traffickers. In line with this, we are appealing to the Nigerian government and international law enforcement agencies to collaborate and partner with NAPTIP by equipping them with the needed resources. Without the support from these organizations, NAPTIP alone cannot effectively prevent and eradicate human trafficking.
Awareness Campaigns
Awareness-raising campaigns on human trafficking through social and mass media are another way to prevent human trafficking. Media campaigns warning families against selling their children for menial jobs and recruitment for house care jobs abroad should be broadcast regularly. So many girls are ignorant about the grave consequences of illegal job recruitment and migration. But, if they are provided with the requisite knowledge and skills about the consequences of their decisions, they will take better decisions.
Conclusion
The majority of Nigerian girls and women are trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labor under harsh conditions. While some victims were sold by their families to the traffickers some others were lured through migration promises. Unfortunately, they reach their destination and what they encounter is different from what they were promised. By reporting cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP and creating awareness campaigns against human trafficking, we can prevent and eradicate human trafficking in Nigeria.
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