ASSESSMENT OF RESIDENTS' PERCEPTION OF CHILD TRAFFICKING IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

 Child trafficking is a societal problem which threatens the productive and leadership potential of children, who are seen as the hope of the future. This study has assessed the drivers, impacts and strategies for curbing child trafficking in Oredo Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State. The study is based on SDG 3, which specifies 'Good Health and Well-being'. Good health and well-being play a critical role in the growth and development of children. Primary data for the study is derived from a field survey of residents in the study area based on the projected population size of 604,975 persons and a sample frame of 204 persons. The data was collected through the administration of a structured questionnaire to 204 household heads in four communities (Urubi, Ugbague, Eguadase and Etete) of Oredo LGA to which descriptive statistics such as averages and percentages was used in analysing the data. The results of the study indicate that female children are the most trafficked, instigated mostly by social factors which include poverty (61.8%), parental neglect (18.6%) and poor governance/ social insecurity (10.3%). The predominant motives for child trafficking are prostitution, child labour and organ harvesting. The social health impacts of child trafficking include disruption in the education of children, poor mental and physical state of health, an increase in societal vices, non-inculcation of family values in children, unwanted childhood pregnancies, and death in some cases. The study recommends measures to curb child trafficking to include free basic and secondary education for children, sensitisation of the public on the ills of child trafficking, implementation of policies against child trafficking and violations of child rights, prosecution of individuals involved in child trafficking and access to quality healthcare and social welfare for children.