How menace of human trafficking affects women, girls

Every July 30 marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and while this affects both genders, women and girls account for over 70 percent of trafficked victims.

Human trafficking typically involves transporting or harbouring a person or group of persons either through coercion, threat, deception, kidnap, or other fraudulent means for exploitation purposes.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Organisation for Migration (IOM), estimate 50 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. According to the IOM, there has been a rise in the statistics of human trafficking.

From 2017 to 2024, IOM facilitated the voluntary return of 4,877 Nigerians who were also potential victims of trafficking, among them are 87 per cent females and 13 per cent males.

In the first half of 2024 alone, IOM supported the voluntary return of 525 potential victims of trafficking. This data is worrying considering that 2023 recorded 883 cases in total. With the 2024 numbers already over half of the previous year in just the first half of the year, the upward trend indicates a growing challenge that requires concerted efforts to address effectively.

Nigeria has a reputation for being one of the top African nations for human trafficking, operating as a country of origin, transit, and victimisation for both domestic and international trafficking. Among the factors contributing to the existence of the heinous trend of human trafficking in Nigeria are pervasive poverty, unemployment, and greed.

While film, a major form of entertainment, typically mirrors the culture and experiences of society, reflecting its joys, struggles, and complexities, the relationship between film and society is important, as it addresses social problems and inspires action by creating awareness of under-discussed issues.

A gritty TV drama which explores the impact of human and sex trafficking, Òlòtūré: The Journey, narrates the experience of young Òlòtūré’s journey as an investigative journalist trying to expose corruption while working as an undercover sex worker in Nigeria en route Europe. The EbonyLife Production and Netflix limited series in its three episodes showcases the ruthless violence of sex trafficking and how women are exploited.

IOM’s data also reveals that 94 per cent of the potential victims of trafficking intended to migrate in search of better economic opportunities, two per cent of the victims travelled in search of new job opportunities, one per cent of the victims travelled to escape bad family situations, three per cent gave education and as well as other reasons as the factor. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities by offering deceptive promises of employment, education, or better living conditions, only to subject migrants to exploitation and abuse.

Aside IOMs rescuing report, the National Agency for The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP has also reported rescuing over 21,000 victims of human trafficking in the past 20 years.

Head of Media, Communications and Advocacy, IOM Nigeria, Fracois-Xavier Ada-Affana. said, “IOM’s support victims of trafficking through comprehensive rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Thousands of victims have been identified and rescued in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, such as NAPTIP and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). These victims have received medical care, psychosocial support, and access to justice.  We work with Federal and State actors to support the development of evidence-based policy frameworks to protect victims and prosecute traffickers.”

With this issue on the rise, it is crucial to devise effective means to manage the situation. To reduce human trafficking in Nigeria, the IOM has advised that a concerted effort from the government and communities is necessary. This includes implementing programmes that provide education, vocational training, and economic opportunities for women to reduce their vulnerability to traffickers—enhancing laws and regulations to ensure stringent penalties for traffickers and robust protection for victims.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for better economic opportunities and improved living standards for the vulnerable in society to combat human trafficking in Nigeria.

They observed that the issues of insecurity, unemployment challenges, poverty as well as poor education system were luring many Nigerians to be exploited by traffickers.

This was the thrust at the annual Human Trafficking Walk organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with Live Abundantly, COMPASS, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), themed, ‘Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking’  held in Lagos.

Speaking at the sensitisation walk, founder and Executive Director, Live Abundantly, Ama Onyerinma, stated that to tame the growing human trafficking in the country, stakeholders must collectively and continually engage children and the vulnerable to take cautions when seeking opportunities within and outside the country.

She said that despite the continuous fight by various concerned agencies to end the menace, traffickers have resorted to various means to exploit their victims, urging Nigerians to be wary of opportunities they commit to.

Beyond creating awareness, Onyerinma noted that the government has a huge role to play by decisively addressing the challenge of poverty, and insecurity among other challenges fuelling trafficking.

In his remarks, Head of Field Office, UNHCR in Lagos, Godwin Bwire, said that the theme underscores the urgency to protect the most vulnerable who are mostly children and refugees from heinous crimes of human trafficking.
“These individuals, having fled their homes to escape conflict, persecution and violence often find themselves in precarious situations, making them prime targets for traffickers. Desperate and vulnerable, they may consider dangerous onward journeys, believing it to be their only hope for safety and stability.

“Trafficked individuals endure unimaginable hardships, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern slavery. As we walk today, we do so to raise awareness and reaffirm our commitment to protecting these vulnerable populations from exploitation,” he added.

Equally, the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Comfort Agboko, who was represented by the agency’s Public Enlightenment Officer, Frederick Uche, urged the private sector to join hands with the government to curtail the crisis and bring an end to the menace.