In response to the increasing incidences of domestic servitude and spousal slavery in Abia State, a rights group, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society, CEHRAWS, has called on the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to intensify advocacy efforts by partnering with civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
There have been reports of abuse of maids and subjection of spouses to inhumane treatment, some of which have led to the loss of lives in the state.
A trending report online is a clip where a groom was telling the bride during their wedding that he is used to flirting with women outside and that she should always be on her knees to serve him food. According to him in the Igbo local dialect, “Okwa ima na nna ‘gba na ilo” means- you know I am a womanizer.
Speaking on the development, the CEHRAWS Executive Director, Comrade Chuka Okoye said the society cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the ugly incidents.
According to him, there is a need to squarely confront the insidious scourges of domestic servitude and spousal slavery.
“These reprehensible forms of exploitation, thriving in the shadows, demand urgent attention and concerted efforts from all sectors of society.
“Domestic servitude, wherein individuals are subjected to forced labor, coercion, and abuse within private households, represents a violation of fundamental human rights.
“Meanwhile, spousal slavery, characterized by coercive control within the confines of marriage, perpetuates cycles of abuse and strips victims of autonomy and freedom.
“Reportedly, lots of victims, are being ensnared in these exploitative systems.
“From housemaids trapped in a cycle of abuse to spouses subjected to coercive control and torture, the toll of domestic servitude and spousal slavery is devastating and far-reaching,” Okoye said.
The CEHRAWS boss emphasized the importance of robust legal frameworks to combat these atrocities effectively.
He said, “International instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) unequivocally condemn such practices, providing a foundation for action.
“In Nigeria, despite legislative efforts such as the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, challenges persist in the enforcement and implementation of anti-trafficking measures.
“Poverty, corruption, and cultural norms exacerbate these challenges, perpetuating gender-based violence and exploitation.”
The group noted that NAPTIP’s collaboration with civil society organizations and other stakeholders is key in the fight against spousal slavery and domestic servitude, to raise awareness, advocate for legislative reform, and provide support to victims.
“As advocates for human rights,” he said, “CEHRAWS remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a society where exploitation and abuse have no place.
“Together, through collective action and solidarity, we can create a world where every individual lives with dignity and freedom.”
A leading civil rights group dedicated to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights, and promoting police accountability and a rights-respecting policing atmosphere in Nigeria, the CEHRAWS has a mission to foster a just and equitable society, ensuring transparent and responsible governance for the betterment of all citizens.
