Human Trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria: Experiences of Some Young Girls who have Survived Trafficking

Abstract

Human trafficking has been a global issue and has assumed a dimension that is difficult to control. It is an abuse of human rights of those who have been trafficked. In most researches it has been found out that girls are mostly the victims of human trafficking. There is a weak border control and this makes human trafficking in Nigeria a lucrative business. There is also a sort of collusion between the traffickers and immigration officials. This study focuses on 5 survivors of human trafficking in a community in Edo state, Nigeria. The research methodology is feminist qualitative approach which explored the lived experiences of these survivors. Findings from this study indicate that some factors like family instability, feminization of poverty and gender inequality are ingredients that facilitate girls’ trafficking. Government in Nigeria should tackle gender inequality and poverty which make it possible especially the trafficking of young girls.

Key words: Trafficking, Vulnerability, Gender, Young girls, Survivors, Exploitation, Feminism.