By Iduozee Paul, Benin
The United Nations Women has disclosed that 70 percent of women and girls are trafficked worldwide.
Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made the disclosure at the launch of UN Women and Government of Italy project on preventing forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria.
She said in addition to irregular migration, Nigeria also experiences significant trafficking, and women and children constitute the majority of those trafficked to Europe, as well as irregular migrants to other African destinations and the Middle East.
“The starting point for our work is an acknowledgment of the disproportionate impact of trafficking on women and girls who, make up over 70 percent of persons trafficked globally”, she stated.
Lamptey identified structural inequalities, vulnerabilities and lack of sustainable livelihoods as major causes of trafficking.
She said the initiative will build on the efforts of the Nigerian government to address forced migration and trafficking and support interventions in gender gaps, as well as harness the potentials of women organizations and networks, to raise awareness at the community level.
“Here in Edo State, it will build on mechanisms and structures set up at the state level, including the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and the NGO Taskforce on Trafficking. A concerted and strong partnership will be fostered with the ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues to drive key components of this initiative”, Lamptey stated.
She said the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act will play a key role in the project.
“In particular, following the recent passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Edo State, it is clear that implementation will be key to addressing some of the root causes underlying the phenomenon of trafficking of women and girls. The project will support the ministry to develop and prioritize actions under a Roadmap for Implementation of the VAPP Act.
“The project will also build synergies with ongoing interventions by sister UN agencies, including UNODC, IOM, and UNHCR who have made important contributions in support of the state government’s efforts to curb this menace,” she said.
The UN-Women country boss lamented that there have been limited investments in auditing protection and other frontline services delivered to survivors of forced migration and trafficking from a gender perspective.
In his remarks, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki said his passion for the fight against forced migration and trafficking in persons is very well known.
Representative of the governor, commissioner for Justice and attorney general of Edo State, Yinka Omorogbe, noted that the Obaseki administration has made innumerable contributions to curb the menace hence it is attracting external support.
“We will not be getting this sort of money or anything near this initiative, if it was not for the person of the governor, Godwin Obaseki,” she said.
Deputy ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, TarekChazli on his part, said his government is willing to partner with serious organizations like the UN- Women, adding that Edo State government has always proven to be a trusted partner in the fight to end trafficking.
“We have found a reliable partner in Edo State and that is why we want to work with him,” he said.
Acting zonal commander NAPTIP, Edo State, Rosemary Amogogo reiterated the agency’s commitment towards the fight against human trafficking and forced migration.
Trafficking has been a recurring menace in society and increasing efforts has been made by NAPTIP in collaboration with other key organizations to curb the menace.
NAPTIP and other key organizations have come together to achieve huge success in the fight against human trafficking and forced migration and new initiatives to fight the menace are welcome. The project when fully implemented is expected to finally nail forced migration and human trafficking in Edo State.
The United Nations Women has disclosed that 70 percent of women and girls are trafficked worldwide.
Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) made the disclosure at the launch of UN Women and Government of Italy project on preventing forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria.
She said in addition to irregular migration, Nigeria also experiences significant trafficking, and women and children constitute the majority of those trafficked to Europe, as well as irregular migrants to other African destinations and the Middle East.
“The starting point for our work is an acknowledgment of the disproportionate impact of trafficking on women and girls who, make up over 70 percent of persons trafficked globally”, she stated.
Lamptey identified structural inequalities, vulnerabilities and lack of sustainable livelihoods as major causes of trafficking.
She said the initiative will build on the efforts of the Nigerian government to address forced migration and trafficking and support interventions in gender gaps, as well as harness the potentials of women organizations and networks, to raise awareness at the community level.
“Here in Edo State, it will build on mechanisms and structures set up at the state level, including the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and the NGO Taskforce on Trafficking. A concerted and strong partnership will be fostered with the ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues to drive key components of this initiative”, Lamptey stated.
She said the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act will play a key role in the project.
“In particular, following the recent passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in Edo State, it is clear that implementation will be key to addressing some of the root causes underlying the phenomenon of trafficking of women and girls. The project will support the ministry to develop and prioritize actions under a Roadmap for Implementation of the VAPP Act.
“The project will also build synergies with ongoing interventions by sister UN agencies, including UNODC, IOM, and UNHCR who have made important contributions in support of the state government’s efforts to curb this menace,” she said.
The UN-Women country boss lamented that there have been limited investments in auditing protection and other frontline services delivered to survivors of forced migration and trafficking from a gender perspective.
In his remarks, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki said his passion for the fight against forced migration and trafficking in persons is very well known.
Representative of the governor, commissioner for Justice and attorney general of Edo State, Yinka Omorogbe, noted that the Obaseki administration has made innumerable contributions to curb the menace hence it is attracting external support.
“We will not be getting this sort of money or anything near this initiative, if it was not for the person of the governor, Godwin Obaseki,” she said.
Deputy ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, TarekChazli on his part, said his government is willing to partner with serious organizations like the UN- Women, adding that Edo State government has always proven to be a trusted partner in the fight to end trafficking.
“We have found a reliable partner in Edo State and that is why we want to work with him,” he said.
Acting zonal commander NAPTIP, Edo State, Rosemary Amogogo reiterated the agency’s commitment towards the fight against human trafficking and forced migration.
Trafficking has been a recurring menace in society and increasing efforts has been made by NAPTIP in collaboration with other key organizations to curb the menace.
NAPTIP and other key organizations have come together to achieve huge success in the fight against human trafficking and forced migration and new initiatives to fight the menace are welcome. The project when fully implemented is expected to finally nail forced migration and human trafficking in Edo State.
