The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) has trained 60 members of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) on advocacy against human trafficking in Edo.
The Project Officer of ICMPD in Edo, Mr Elvis Ederibhalo, disclosed this at a training workshop for executive members of Parents Teachers Association held in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government, on Wednesday.
Ederibhalo said the training was organised in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Centre for Development and Cultural Interchange (CDCI).
“We have trained 60 executive members of Parents Teachers Association in Edo. The training is under the School Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) and is being funded by the Government of Netherlands and ICMPD on the need for advocacy to end human trafficking,” he said.
He explained that the training became necessary to empower members with knowledge about the tricks and tactics traffickers use to lure young people into slavery.
“The aim is to raise awareness and make them ambassadors who will educate the children and families on the dangers of trafficking,” he said.
Also, the Project Manager of CDCI, Mrs Lilian Gbeleke, said the training was designed to raise awareness about trafficking.
“We need effective teaching strategies to make sure that this critical knowledge reaches future generations of teachers and students,” she said.
Gbeleke added that the workshop was important because human trafficking was not just a crime but a menace that violated human dignity.
“The training is to empower them to become informed and be advocates against human trafficking,” she said.
Some of the participants pledged their commitment to be a voice against human trafficking in their communities.
The Principal of Ujoelen Grammar School and Publicity Secretary of Edo Parent Teachers Association, Mrs Anastasia Okoruwa, and Mr Ambrose Okonofua, commended ICMPD, NAPTIP and CDCI for the initiative, pledging to strengthen advocacy against human trafficking in their areas.
The highpoint of the event was a paper presentation on human trafficking, irregular migration, child labour, slavery, referral pathways, NAPTIP strategies, and emerging trends and indicators of trafficking in persons.
The papers were delivered by NAPTIP Public Relations Officer, Mr Obi Onyebuchi, Mr Stephen Selowo, Head of Counselling Rehabilitation Unit, and Mr Joan Ojiewa, Head of Public Enlightenment Unit, NAPTIP Benin Zonal Command.
(NAN)