In the welcome address, the Chairperson (EWDI), mentioned the early development and formation process of EWDI foundation. She mentioned how a group of women initially unknown to each other came together to form a foundation aimed at enlightening Edo women about the ills and problems associated with human trafficking as well as child prostitution.
In his speech, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki commended the EWDI and its trustees for their effort thus far. He said that everyone in the state needs to take human trafficking and child prostitution seriously. He added that prostitution and trafficking has developed into modern day slavery and he encouraged everyone to be involved in the fight against it.
He also mentioned that it is a disgrace to the state as many of the victims involved in the prostitution racket were from the state. He also blamed parents for using their daughters to make money through prostitution. To combat this, the Governor announced the set-up of a special task force on human trafficking to be supervised by the Attorney-General of the state.
On her various encounters with some of the victims of human trafficking and child prostitution Dr. Esohe Aghatise, secretary and trustee of the EWDI noted that some of the young men from the state are involved in the prostituting of Edo victims. She posited that 60% of the Africans rescue are Nigerians and 80% of these are from Edo state. She spoke of the terrible conditions illegal migrants face.
A survivor by the name Beauty, shared her experience as an immigrant in Europe. According to her, she did not use boat or go through the desert like most of the victims involved in illegal migration to Europe. Having spent 12 years in Italy, and well-grounded in their language and custom, she said she experienced the trauma of prostitution. She encouraged women and everyone present to fight against human trafficking as it is filled with a lot of psychological, physical and emotional trauma. She said she still has flashbacks of her experience in Italy as an illegal migrant.
Seasoned panelists drawn from government, religious, and development sectors discussed the theme of this important conference, Modern Day Slavery: policies, and programmes to combat/end trafficking in Edo state. Amongst them were: Mr. Nduka Nwanwene, NAPTIP, the Rev. David Ugolor, ANEEJ Executive Director; Rev. Sr. Florence Nwaonuma, Jolanda Pfister Herren, FDFA Migration Adviser; Mr. Mikael Blomquist JENSEN, Representative of UNODC.
NAPTIP official Mr. Nduka Nwanwene stated some of the experience as well as challenges NAPTIP faces in dealing with victims rescued from human trafficking and child prostitution. He also gave out different records and data of rescued victims that they have rescued and worked with from the various local governments of the state.
Swiss Migration Adviser, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA Jolanda Pfister Herren, also narrated the experiences of dealing with the human trafficking situation in the country. She added that Switzerland is in the middle of Europe and experiences significant cases of human trafficking. She said that the Swiss government is working tirelessly to fight trafficking and illegal immigration in order to curb child prostitution and the like.
For Rev. Sr. Florence Nwaonuma poverty is related to the human trafficking situation and child prostitution. She pleaded with the government to come to the aid of the people by initiating youth empowerment policies and job opportunities. She said the use of fetish means on victims of human trafficking taken abroad for prostitution to coerce victims.
The Rev. David Ugolor said that Nigeria needs to step up and improve the condition of its citizen. According to Rev Ugolor, corruption is the main problem of the country and has found its way into the fabric of the nation, thereby creating a room for increase of human trafficking and child prostitution. He commended the governor on his plan to institute task force to curb the activities of human trafficking.
Mr. Mikael Blomquist JENSEN spoke about the UNODC supporting government and NAPTIP in controlling and curbing the case of human trafficking and child prostitution.
Several participants at this conference asked a series of questions arising from panel discussions. Some of these questions include a request to Dr. Aghatise to make pictures of the sorry state of human trafficking for prostitution available to secondary schools.
Others wanted to know if there are centres in Benin City wherein rescued victims can be rehabilitated. Yet others suggested that women should be beneficiaries of schemes and workshop that will lift women above poverty, and easy access to for market women to loans from financial institutions.
