UN, Italian Govt Rate Edo Govt High on Fight Against Human Trafficking

United Nations Women Country Representative to Nigeria and Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), Ms. Comfort Lamptey and the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Tarek Chazli, yesterday rated the Edo State Government high on its fight on human trafficking in the state.

The duo gave the commendation at the official launching of the Preventing Forced Migration and Trafficking of Women and Girls in Nigeria held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Ms. Lamptey said the recent signing into law, a bill prohibiting Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) by the state government was a right decision taken by Governor Godwin Obaseki in reducing the scourge against forced migration and trafficking of women and girl-child in the state

"In particular, following the recent passage of the Violent Against Persons Prohibition VAPP in Edo State, it is clear that implementation will be key to addressing some of the root causes underlying the phenomenon of trafficking of women and girls.

"The project will support the Ministry to develop and prioritise actions under a Roadmap for Implementation of the VAPP Act.

"The project will also build synergies with ongoing interventions by sister UN agencies, including UNODC, IOM, and UNHCR who have made important contributions in support of the state government’s efforts to curb this menace," she said.

Lamptey said globally, UN Women has built a solid and robust knowledge-based and expertise in the areas of addressing gender, forced migration and trafficking of women and girls.