Legal Framework for Combating Trafficking of Women and Children in Nigeria

Abstract

Trafficking in human beings, especially women and girls, is not new, historically it has taken many forms, hut in the context of globalization, it has acquired new dimensions. It is a complex, multi-faceted phenomenon involving multiple stake holders at the institutional and commercial level. It is a demand driven global business with a huge market for cheap labour and commercial sex confronting often insufficient or unexercised policy framework or trained personnel to prevent it. Human trafficking especially trafficking of women and children has become a cause of serious concern to the world and this has become a new trend of modern day sex slavery and a new trend of money making by some very powerful syndicates in the world. The aim of this paper is to evaluate international and Nigeria’s efforts towards women and children protection using the instrumentality of the law; interrogate the effectiveness or otherwise of the international and Nigeria’s legal framework for women and children protection; and make overarching recommendations on how to achieve effective women and children’s rights protection. The research methodology was doctrinal approach, using expository and analytical research design. The main sources of data collection were various legal literatures, both from the physical library and the e-library. It was observed that Nigerian laws have not been able to adequately stem the tides of the crime, considering its rising profile in recent times. It is essentially because the laws are selective and not all inclusive. Policy makers are merely formulating and adjusting strategies on an experimental basis. It was recommended among others that Nigerian governments are to make sustained efforts to cooperate with international community, assist in the prosecution of traffickers and protect victims of trafficking by linking up local law enforcement agencies with Interpol when dealing with the more complex problems associated with trafficking of women and children.