A Non-governmental Organization (NGO), CLEEN Foundation, has emphasized the importance of preventing forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in Nigeria to foster resilient and sustainable development.
The Executive Director, Benson Olugbuo, highlighted that the Gender Audit Report of Shelters and Safe Homes in Edo State aims to create a gender-sensitive policy environment, address forced migration and trafficking, and raise awareness in source migration trafficking sites.
Olugbuo stated, “The project also aims to support and enhance the gender-responsiveness of interventions by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant government agencies.”
The public dissemination of the findings on the Gender Audit Report aligns perfectly with the ongoing global 16 Days of Activism campaign. This year’s focus is on empowering women in the informal economy and ending all forms of gender-based violence (GBV) in public and private spaces.
Olugbuo emphasized that human trafficking, predominantly affecting women and girls, is a form of GBV that must be eradicated from communities. He added, “GBV, which is a common aspect of human trafficking, undermines the well-being and autonomy of survivors and perpetuates negative outcomes throughout their lives.”
The Executive Director, represented by Program Manager Mrs. Ruth Olofin, acknowledged the lack of coordination and collaboration among frontline service providers and the absence of central disaggregated data statistics on trafficking and forced migration as highlighted in the Gender Audit findings. The report also identified the need to strengthen key stakeholders including civil society organizations, the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Youths and Sports, Justice, and the Edo State Taskforce.
In a goodwill message, the NAPTIP Director General, represented by Edo Zonal Commander Mrs. Ijeoma Uduak, commended CLEEN Foundation for raising awareness on trafficking shelters. The report will contribute to improving access to safe homes and services provided by frontline service providers in the state.
DCP Margret Ochalla, the Force Gender Coordinator and Advisor to the Inspector General of Police, represented by DSP Phoebe Makkah, emphasized the importance of synergy and inter-agency collaborations among security agencies, health, judiciary, and civil society organizations to effectively address forced migration and trafficking of women and girls in the country.
Other speakers at the event included the Edo State Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs. Ijeoma Uduak, and representatives of civil society organizations in the state.
