By Lucky Isibor
The Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi (Uromi JDPCI), has called for collective action against child trafficking, noting that the menace is gaining prominence amidst its attendant dangers.
The Executive Director of Uromi JDPCI, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo who made the call in a keynote address at the annual meeting of JDPCI with community and religious leaders in commemoration of this year’s “World Day Against Human Trafficking” with the theme “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” pointed out that the statistics of child trafficking as supplied by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is frightening.
While enumerating the factors that drive child trafficking, Arhedo pointed out that traffickers target dysfunctional family, children lacking parental and filial care, poor back ground, victims of sexual based violence, inequality and inadequate child protection systems, stressing that most of the trafficked children are used for forced labour, prostitution and organ harvesting.
“According to recent statistics, over 24.9 million people are trapped in forced labour, and 4.8 million are subjected to sexual exploitation globally. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent real lives, real suffering, and real people who need our help.
“Child trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of children by force, fraud, or deception to exploit them for profit. It is irrelevant whether a child appears to have “consented” in some way to being exploited. It undermines the use of force, deception, coercion, or abuse of power or vulnerability because children can not give informed consent on issues that affect them. Vulnerable children may be exposed to many different forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, begging, petty crimes, engagement as child soldiers, marriage as child brides, and trafficking for illegal adoption, among others.
“In 2020, nearly 20,000 children were identified as trafficking victims globally. However, due to significant challenges affecting detection and reporting, the actual number may be significantly higher. Over the past 15 years, the proportion of children among detected victims has tripled.
“While both girls and boys are affected, human trafficking impacts children differently depending on their gender and location. Girls are mainly trafficked for sexual exploitation, while boys are mostly trafficked for forced labour (Source: UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons).
“Child trafficking thrives in environments of family dysfunction, lack of parental care, poverty, SGBV victims, inequality, and inadequate child protection systems.
“Traffickers often target children from extremely poor households or those who have been neglected and abandoned. Conflict, war, economic challenges, and environmental disasters make children, especially unaccompanied and separated migrant children, increasingly vulnerable to trafficking. Traffickers also use online platforms, social media, and the dark web to exploit and control children, taking advantage of modern technology to evade detection and disseminate exploitative content. Unsupervised use of the internet and social media by children, often without appropriate safeguards, can further expose them to traffickers”.
While enumerating the consequences of child trafficking, Fr. Arhedo also explained the steps community and religious leaders and some state actors can take to prevent trafficking and assistance that can be rendered to victims.
“As religious and community leaders, we are uniquely positioned to spearhead efforts to combat this menace. It is not time to look away. Our roles are pivotal in raising awareness, providing support, and advocating for policies that protect the vulnerable and punish the perpetrators. Our communities look up to us for guidance, support, and leadership. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to use our platforms to educate, inspire, and mobilize collective action against child trafficking.
“Our teachings emphasize the sanctity of human life, the importance of justice, and the imperative to protect the vulnerable. You are the moral compass of your communities. Your words and actions have the power to shape beliefs, influence behaviours, and inspire change. By speaking out against human trafficking, you can raise awareness and educate your followers about the dangers and signs of trafficking.
“In your communities, you can create safe spaces for discussions about human trafficking. Encourage open dialogue and provide education to both adults and children. Use your sermons, teachings, and community gatherings to spread the message that human trafficking is a grave sin and a violation of our shared values.
“Your institutions can play a critical role in supporting victims. Offer them a sanctuary where they can find safety, healing, and hope. Provide counselling, vocational training, and reintegration programs to help them rebuild their lives and for social integration and cohesion. Your compassion and support can make a profound difference in their recovery journey.
“Combating human trafficking requires a collective effort. Partner with local authorities, institutions, and CSOs like Uromi JDPCI to strengthen efforts. Form local committees that can provide comprehensive support to victims and work towards eradicating human trafficking in your communities. Our efforts must extend beyond this gathering.
“As traditional and religious leaders, you hold a place of immense influence and trust within our communities. You are the custodians of culture, values, and moral guidance. Your roles position you uniquely to lead the fight against human trafficking and to ensure that no child is left behind.
“Awareness is our most powerful tool. By educating our communities about the realities and dangers of human trafficking, we can arm them with the knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones. Use your platforms—whether in temples, churches, mosques, or community gatherings—to spread this crucial message.
“Vigilance is essential. Often, signs of trafficking are subtle and easily overlooked. It comes as “help” which culminates into deception and exploitation. Encourage your communities to be attentive to unusual behaviours and to report any suspicious activities. Your leadership in fostering a community that looks out for one another can be a formidable deterrent to traffickers.
“Compassion and support are vital. Survivors of human trafficking require comprehensive care to heal and reintegrate into society. Traditional and religious institutions can provide much-needed support systems through intentional reception, counselling, shelter, and educational opportunities. Let us work together to create safe havens where these children can rebuild their lives with dignity”.
Fr. Arhedo thanked ECPAT France and Luxembourg for the support of the ACT Against Human Trafficking Project AACTING under which platform the meeting was convened.
“We are grateful to our partners, ECPAT France and Luxembourg, for their generous support for the ACT Against Child Trafficking Project (AACTING), under whose auspices this meeting was convened. AACTING is a significant three-year initiative aimed at empowering communities and social protection actors to effectively prevent child trafficking and deliver justice services for vulnerable young girls and boys at risk of sexual exploitation”.
In a good will message, the Onojie of Igueben Zaiki Eluogierior 1 stressed the need for skill acquisition by children who could not continue their education beyond the junior secondary school.
The Onojie of Igueben who was represented by Chief Hillary Ekhoye pointed out that it’s the reason he is building a skill acquisition centre at the Igueben Royal Palace, adding that training will commence at the centre before December this year.
In a good will message, Mrs Esther Akere (Esq) admonished mothers to eschew greed in their lives and bring up their children, especially the girl child in accordance with our values. She cautioned that mothers must interrogate anyone who offers to assist their children to travel abroad to know his source of livilihood so that will not end up being introduced into Yahoo or Yahoo+.
Christian leaders, Muslim leaders, traditional leaders and leaders of market women associations, leaders of Hausa community across Esan land all assured that they’ll collaborate with Uromi JDPCI to continue to raise awareness among their followers on the dangers of trafficking in persons and assist victims.