NGO rescues 35 trafficked persons

The Women’s Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), a non-governmental organisation, on Monday said that it rescued and empowered 35 trafficked persons in 2016.

The WOCON Director of Programmes, Mrs Morenike Omaiboje, told our reporter  in Lagos that six of the trafficked persons were children.

“Trafficking is still a challenge as it is ongoing every minute of every day.

“It can be difficult to track women and girls who are being trafficked; it is only those who are brought to the attention of the organisation that are captured.

“However, women and girls that we have rescued and empowered since the inception of the organisation 21 years ago are many.

“There is no data to show the number due to the fact that we lost contact of many of them. Some moved on with their lives, while others probably chose their old lifestyles, “ she said.

Omaiboje regretted that many women were still ignorant of their rights and the laws that protected  the rights.

According to her, WOCON makes efforts to educate women about their rights and where to go when the rights are violated.

“Over the years, we have worked on the rights of women; we do not only go to the urban centres, but also go to rural areas.

“We organise seminars and workshops, and partner with international organisations and the ministries of women affairs to make sure that women in the country know their rights.

“We also evaluate the impact of programmes we organise in order to know how many women we have impacted on.

“This will enable us to know what to do to improve in educating the Nigerian woman, “ she said.

Omaiboje urged adequate enforcement of laws on the protection of women and children’s rights.

The director said that more sensitisation would increase women awareness of their rights and how to exercise the rights.

She called on other gender-based organisations to collaborate with governments in supporting women and girls through empowerment programmes.

According to her, this will enable more women to be empowered physically, financially and emotionally and reduce trafficking.

“Women and girls should also rise up and have a focus; one way they can do this is to know their rights, “ she said.