ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, has called for a multi-sectoral approach and collaboration of concerned stakeholders in tackling the menace of human trafficking in the country.
The Country Director, Ene Obi, stated this in a press statement to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
She said ‘‘poverty, limited education and lack of economic opportunities and insecurity remain some of the main factors leading people, especially women and girls to trafficking.”
According to her, as a nation, efforts to tackle human trafficking must focus on addressing the root causes of poverty in the society.
She also said all hands must be on deck in working to ensure that every Nigerian, especially women and girls have an opportunity to live a life of dignity and make social progress.
Obi further stated that ‘‘Citizens and governments at all levels must wake up to challenge this monster. The human trafficking industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry worldwide and it will take collective, consistent and decisive efforts to overcome the challenge of human trafficking.
“Some of those involved in trafficking of persons especially women and girls, for prostitution and cheap labour, are well placed and connected in the society but there must be no sacred cows in this fight. Human trafficking is a crime, and the law enforcement agencies must wake up and bring justice for the oppressed’’.
She said ActionAid Nigeria in its efforts to tackle the root causes of human trafficking and forced migration, has empowered 25,844 women and young people within the last three years through training and mentoring, provision of start-up grants and equipment for the launch of productive activities.
According to her, “At ActionAid Nigeria, we believe that building the agency of citizens and contributing to improving their socio-economic conditions will reduce their vulnerability to human trafficking and other forms of modern-day slavery.”
She therefore called on governments and other non-governmental organisations to scale up such interventions.
Action Aid Nigeria is a human rights organisation that works with poor and excluded groups, promoting their rights and empowering people living in poverty to take necessary action to end poverty.
