By NewsBits
The Daughters of Divine Love (DDL), Justice and Peace Commission, Enugu and other Stakeholders have converged on Enugu, for a seminar to discuss rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking.
Themed “Prevention and Empowerment of Victims of Human Trafficking for Effective Reintegration”, the seminar was organised by Daughters of Divine Love, Justice for Peace and Communication, Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu. The Principal sponsors of the seminar was Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Vatican.
The coordinator of the seminar, Sister Mary Diana Eneduanya, addressing the gathering, described human trafficking as “modern day slavery.’ She regretted that trafficking in humans rather than abating, had taken a more dangerous dimension through the use of online platforms thereby allowing it’s pervasiveness and scale to increase exponentially
Eneduanya said it was the collective responsibility of every concerned citizen of Nigeria to rally in support of victims of the heinous crime against humanity. According to her, the trend had left many affected victims in deplorable state of despair, hopelessness, and heightened trauma.
“It is therefore, our collective responsibility to bring succor to trafficked persons; to rescue them and to help them recover and rebuild their lives. Therefore, reintegration is the key, ‘she said. In her keynote speech, Professor Joy Ezilo, Founder of Women Aid Collective (WACOL), said that in order to reintegrate victims of human trafficking, there was the need to employ the human right approach.
Human rights approach, she explained, entailed employing international law and conventions against human trafficking. Ezilo, represented by Goodness Ibanga, Programme Lead WACOL, said there was need for proper assessment of victims of human trafficking before reintegration to know his/her needs and to respect his/her opinions. She also stated the need for sustainable empowerment of victims, always taken into consideration the prevailing economic situation at the time.
Also speaking, Head of Guidance and Counseling Department of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Ifeoma Nwanta commended the organisers for the programme. She called on all good, spirited groups and individuals to join the agency in the fight to end the menace and to reintegrate victims.
In a goodwill message, the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr Wilfred Agubuchie stressed the need for parents to guide their wards right by teaching them sex education at early age. He said this would go a long way in preparing the child for any future eventuality.
“There is nothing wrong in parents teaching their children sex education at early stage, so they will know their rights and wrongs,” he said. In their separate messages different speakers condemned the evil menace of human trafficking in Nigeria, and the world at large.
The event also featured presentation of bag of Rice each to five widows courtesy of Msgr. Obiora Ikeh – the Founding Director of CIDJAP (Catholic Institute for Development, Justice, and Peace). The Mother General of DDL was represented by the Vicar General: Sr. Loretto Okoli at the event which was attended by people from different walks of life.
Students from various secondary schools in Enugu including Daughters of Divine Love Juniorate, Abakpa Nike, Collage of Immaculate Conception, Holy Rosary College and Trans Ekulu Girls Secondary School, Enugu attended the seminar.
