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QUIZ:

A Prime Destination for Trafficked Nigerian Women

Trafficking in Nigerian women for the purpose of prostitution has lead many women to find themselves in Italy. They constitute a majority of the prostitutes there. Former Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Giovanni Germano once observed that Nigerian girls constitute 60% of all prostitutes in the sex trade in Italy (The News: October 4, 1999, p.44).

Trafficking from Nigeria is apparently extremely well organized. With traffickers employing new and more ingenious means of recruiting girls; it seems that more and more older women called "Madams" or "Mama" now play a key role in persuading the girls to travel as a female figure is less threatening then a male one. Most of the women and young girls are trafficked for street prostitution.

Protecting the Victims

Foreign governments have mostly responded to the plight of trafficked victims by simply arresting them and deporting them back to their country of origin. However, these women have no prospects of social and economic reintegration in their communities. The same poverty, unemployment, and social/gender inequities that compelled their original migration still await them when they return.

WOCON is actively working on the sensitization of immigration officers and other airport officials who receive these girls back into the country to make sure they are given human treatment and are provided with adequate resources for reintegration into their respective communities. We are also concerned with the policies of the Italian government on this issue. As a result, we are working in close collaboration with another grassroots NGO based in Italy to increasing our effectiveness in helping these women and coming up with viable solutions to this issue. 

HUNDREDS OF NIGERIAN WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE TRAFFICKED EACH YEAR INTO FORCIBLE PROSTITUTION. THEY ARE MADE TO ENDURE SLAVE-LIKE CONDITIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, NOTABLY ITALY, AND THE MIDDLE EAST. THOSE WHO ARE DEPORTED BACK TO NIGERIA ARE TREATED AS CRIMINALS. WOCON IS STEPPING UP ITS EFFORTS TO EXPOSE AND ERADICATE THIS ABUSIVE AND ILLEGAL PRACTICE.

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Last modified: August 17, 2005