Anambra Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), says the mission and vision of NAPTIP are to ensure a human trafficking-free Nation.
The Command therefore, restated its commitment towards continuous sensitization of women, especially, mothers on the dangers inherent in human trafficking.
The State Commander of NAPTIP, Mrs Ibadin Judith Chukwu, disclosed this on Thursday, at the ongoing annual Women August Meeting programme, organised by Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), held at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, Enugu-Ukwu, in Njikoka Local Government Area of the State.
Mrs Chukwu explained that the sensitisation on the dangers of human trafficking, child abuse and child labour could not have come at a better time in the South East States of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi, than at this the annual Women August Meeting, because women from all walks of life and different backgrounds come together to deliberate and discuss issues affecting their matrimonial homes, community and society at large.
“Public enlightenment is the major way of curbing the menace of human trafficking particularly in Igbo land”, she noted.
She restated the agency’s commitment towards sensitisation and advocacy in order to curb the menace across Anambra communities.
Mrs Chukwu added that the sensitisation programme was a clarion call for relevant stakeholders to collaborate with the agency to erase the menace.
According to her, the sensitisation would enlighten the women on the reality and risk of giving their wards out for trafficking.
She advised them against giving out their children and wards to traffickers who lured them with promises of a better life for the children.
“At the end of the day, they lure the children into different forms of immoral acts, such as child labour, child exploitation and sexual exploitation, the Commander added.
Chukwu appealed to the women to always draw the attention of NAPTIP whenever issues bothering on human trafficking come up.
Lady Ngozi Muo, President- General of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church branch, Enugu-Ukwu, who spoke on behalf of her members, commended the agency for organising the sensitisation and promised to spread the message.
She equally advised the government to establish cottage industries in the rural areas, if the menace must stop.
The women President General listed unemployment among women, difficulties in childbearing, lack of home training, separation or divorce, cultism and bad association, as elements causing human trafficking in the society.
August Meeting is an annual congress held by Igbo women residing both at home and outside their communities in the month of August, and usually witnesses massive homecoming whereby Igbo women in the Diaspora and the cities travel back to their matrimonial villages to meet with their local counterparts to discuss matters affecting community development, conflict management, human development, and other social-economic and cultural initiatives.
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