A women’s rights group, Equitable Health for Women and Empowerment Initiative (EHWEI) says stakeholders’ commitment is critical to put an end to the increasing incidence of child sex trafficking and underage female sex workers in Nigeria.
It harped on the need for intensified efforts to sensitize the public on the dangers of child sex trafficking, as a way of driving a reduction in the incidence of child/underage female sex workers in the country.
Speaking during a training workshop in Ebonyi State, tagged ‘Partnering Effectively To End Child Sex Trafficking and Underage Female Sex Work Through Advocacy and Learning for Female Sex Workers (FSWS)’, the EHWE Executive Director, Igwe Precious Nneka lamented the growing child sex trafficking among Female Sex Workers (FSWs) and exploited children across Ebonyi, Nigeria and around the world.
She said trafficking victimization and perpetration share risks and consequences associated with child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and youth violence.
According to her, perpetrators of human trafficking often target people who are poor, vulnerable, living in unsafe situations, or searching for a better life.
Noting that most victims of such sexual exploitations include women and girls of various ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, non-citizens, and income levels, Nneka revealed that they are usually controlled through assault, threats, false promises, perceived sense of protection, isolation, shaming, and debt.
She said the consequences of sex trafficking which are similar to that of sexual violence, include physical and relationship problems, psychological concerns, and negative chronic health outcomes.
“EHWEI is well aware of the ethical implication of child sex trafficking for the FSW Key Population community, hence the importance of advocating for behavior change among FSW key Stakeholders, and for securing funding for anti-child sex work intervention programs.
“With our engagement and experience in the field, we will continue to document and reports/data of Child sex work trafficking and Gender Based Violence and human rights issues among Sex Workers in Ebonyi, Nigeria,” she said.
Nwanianyi Immaculata, who represented the Ebonyi State Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in her remark, listed the Agency’s responsibilities which include rescuing, testing and treating girls within the state and outside the state.
Okorie Christopher Onyekammadu, representing the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) restated the availability of the Commission for its input and support, to ensure the rights of individuals were protected and not tempered despite whoever was involved.
“Anytime I hear about child trafficking, my heart melts. There is a need for intervention groups that will move to all the areas for children trafficked and rescue them and also a functional child rescue foundation should be provided.
“It is important that everyone, especially the parents, caregivers, and government join hands together to ensure the end of child trafficking in the state,” he stated.
On their part, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Ukandu Joshua, who spoke in the stead of the State Commissioner of Police, vowed the commitment of the police to protect the lives of the citizens, while the Founder of Child Protection Network, Pst. Odom Gabriel, said it is important for society to show more seriousness towards protecting children, as a means of guaranteeing a great future.
Earlier, Program officer, EHWEI, Gloria Paul while welcoming stakeholders, explained the problem statement that sex trafficking is preventable.
“To address the knowledge gap on child sex trafficking among FSWs, there is a need to enhance their knowledge on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and help prevent trafficking before it occurs.
“We will expose FSWs to the best strategies available to prevent related forms of violence, and they may also reduce sex trafficking.
“EHWEI hopes to see her community members free from child sex trafficking, harassment, abuse, rape, and misinterpretation of incidences by the media networks in Ebonyi State,” she added.
