About Us

The Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) is a grassroots human rights organization, consisting of 25 individuals and 11 organization affiliated members. We are structured by a four (4) member Board of Trustees and a six (6) member Executive Board. We have a total of of 19 paid staff and many volunteers in our three (3) office branches situated in Lagos, Ogun and Enugu states.

WOCON has been engaged in various programs and activities for the enforcement of the rights of women and children particularly the Girl-child in Nigeria since its inception in 1995. We are also strong advocates for the entrenchment of sustainable democracy and good governance in our country.

 

Violence against women and children

Gender violence is violence that is targeted at women or men because of their sex and/or their socially constructed gender roles. It be can physical or psychological and it disproportionately affects more women than men and more children than adults. Like in most African countries, Nigerian women and children suffer from this form of violence on a daily basis. The most pervasive form of gender violence is today the growing trade of trafficking in persons.

 

Special Focus on Human Trafficking

Global trafficking in persons has become one of the most lucrative illicit businesses in the world today, moving between $6 and $12 billion and two million women and children each year. Nigeria is a source country for women and children who are trafficked to Europe for purposes of sexual exploitation, domestic work, and child labor. The country has often been referred to as the "most donating African country in the global sex industry." Nigerian women comprise a large percentage of the African victims of trafficking in Europe.

 Although the last decade has witnessed heightened awareness on the issue of trafficking, it has emphasized the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls to Europe for prostitution. This has made the millions of Nigerian children who become victims of internal and external trafficking for domestic work continue unabated and unaddressed.

WOCON has made it its mission to cater to their welfare the women and children who fall victim every year to violence and to human trafficking. One of the most effective tools against gender violence is prevention and sensitization on the issue and we do this through the use of workshops, media and various other public awareness initiatives.
 

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