Abstract
This study was set to investigate the „Perception of University Students and Parents in Edo State on Factors Influencing Women Trafficking: Implication for Curriculum Review‟. The researcher employed the survey research method. The population of the study comprised of 100 students and residents in Benin city, Edo state. The analysis of data collected for the research led to the following findings (among others): that victims were subjected to oaths and debt bondage; victims were mainly recruited by family members and acquaintances, and travelled of their own free will, but claimed that they were deceived about the nature of their jobs in Italy; most victims‟ parents are engaged in low-income occupation; most of the victims came from autocratic family background; people have become more willing to engage in previously condemned forms of sexuality because religious exercises now has less control on individuals; customs and traditions forbid prostitution in Edo State but women still go in for it because of the financial gains involved.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the study
The people of Edo State, Nigeria, consist of a group of historically related people who trace their origins or ancestry to the Benin Kingdom. The inhabitants of the kingdom of Benin were also known as Edo people. The names Edo and Benin can be used interchangeably. Edo is better used in vernacular speech, while Benin is used in English. Both names thus represent the land and people of Benin. The people of Edo State can be divided into five (5) main ethnic groups distinct from each other in certain linguistics, social and some cultural features. These are Benin or the Edo proper, Esan, Etsako, Owan and Akoko Edo (Justice and Home, 2010). Edo State has a lot of economical potential. Unfortunately, most of the youth are no longer interested in farming activities. They prefer wage employment. Since its creation, Edo State has been experiencing economic hardship as a result of implementation of macroeconomic policies adopted by the Federal Government since 1982. Economic stabilization policies adopted since 1982 and especially the Structural Adjustment Programme adopted in 1986 have had depressing effects on employment, incomes, and the standard of living. The Structural Adjustment Programme with its restrictive financial policies, retrenchment of public sector workers and a freeze on wage increases, has had very harsh impacts on the State. Successive waves of retrenchment in the State public service, failure to pay retirement benefits, and irregular payment of salaries, have all raised the incidence of poverty in the State. The high incidence of poverty and absence of jobs have contributed to the large number of Edo State citizens, male and female, leaving the State for foreign countries in search of better economic prospects. On this background the researcher wants to investigate perception of university students and parents in Edo state on factors influencing women trafficking.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Edo State has a lot of economical potential. Unfortunately, most of the youth are no longer interested in farming activities. They prefer wage employment. Since its creation, Edo State has been experiencing economic hardship as a result of implementation of macroeconomic policies adopted by the Federal Government since 1982. Economic stabilization policies adopted since 1982 and especially the Structural Adjustment Programme adopted in 1986 have had depressing effects on employment, incomes, and the standard of living. The Structural Adjustment Programme with its restrictive financial policies, retrenchment of public sector workers and a freeze on wage increases, has had very harsh impacts on the State. Successive waves of retrenchment in the State public service, failure to pay retirement benefits, and irregular payment of salaries, have all raised the incidence of poverty in the State. Trafficking in human person has been identified by nations and international agencies as both a national and an international problem. According to the United States Department of States Report, (2004), Nigeria is a source, transit and destination country for trafficking in women and children. Nigerians are trafficked to Europe, especially Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands, UK and America (Pearson, 2003). Some are also trafficked to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, while others are trafficked to African countries like South Africa, Morocco, Gabon, Libya, Cameroon Equatorial Guinea etc. This trend is confirmed by UNICEF, when it estimated that over 60% of girl trafficking victims for commercial sex in Italy are from Nigeria, (UNICEF Report, 2002, UNICEF Fact Sheet, 2002). In another related report, the Advocacy Project raised the percentage to 70%.
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