2024 World Day against Trafficking in Persons celebration: NAPTIP calls for creation of safe world for children
…Promises improved strategies to tackle evolving trends in human trafficking
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Director-General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi, has called for collaboration of all stakeholders to create a world where children would thrive in safety and dignity in line with the goal of the 2024 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons celebration.
Prof. Waziri-Azi made the call at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, while unveiling the week-long activities (from July 28 to Sunday, August 4, 2024) lined up for the celebration of this year’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with the theme: “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons.”
According to the United Nations, the 2024 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons urges accelerated action to end child trafficking, recognizing that children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, with girls being disproportionately affected.
Calling for increased efforts to achieve this goal the NAPTIP boss said: “Let us amplify our efforts, fortify our resolve, and work tirelessly to create a world where every child can thrive in safety and dignity. Together, we can and must leave no child behind in this crucial fight.”
A statement by the Communication Officer of the Agency, Adekoye Vincent, made available to The Oracle Today newspapers quoted the Director-General as pledging that the Agency would continue to develop new strategies, expand cooperation, and foster more collaboration to keep pace with the evolving trends in human trafficking.
Recall that the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2013 to be observed annually on July 30th to promote comprehensive, coordinated, and consistent responses at national, regional, and international levels to counter trafficking in persons.
The annual observance is geared towards promoting a human rights-based, gender- and age-sensitive approach in addressing all factors that make people vulnerable to trafficking, and strengthening the criminal justice response necessary to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators.
Prof. Waziri-Azi announced that the activities lined up for the 2024 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria, in collaboration with UNODC, IOM, ICMPD, and OHCHR would commence from Saturday, July 28 to Sunday, August 4, 2024.
According to her, the celebration would kick off on Saturday, July 27, 2024, with a female novelty match to “Kick Against Human Trafficking” between NAPTIP officers and partners at the Wakanda Games Arena, Accra Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, by 8:00 am.
There would be a Community Town Hall Dialogue on Monday, July 29, 2024. It would provide a platform for community stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns, fostering engagement, transparency, problem-solving, inclusivity, and community cohesion. The Dialogue is expected to be aired live on Radio Nigeria from 10.30am.
“On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 7:30 am,” she said, “there will be an Awareness Walk from the Old Parade Ground through major routes in the Central Business District of Abuja, ending at the Unity Fountain. State Task Forces on Human Trafficking from 23 states across Nigeria will participate.”
The Director-General added that from Wednesday, July 31 to Friday, August 2, 2024, a planned Bootcamp for all State Task Force members would take place.
She listed other planned activities to include the Survivor’s Got Talent Grand Finale, sensitization and awareness creation in places of worship and public spaces and a robust online awareness campaign.
“I am pleased to state that our activities and interventions in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria are inclusive, involving various categories of stakeholders.” Prof. Waziri-Azi said.
She also announced that For the first time, NAPTIP will commemorate the World Day together with the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP), a counterpart agency that would be visiting from The Gambia.
The Director-General therefore enjoined everyone to join hands with the Agency to ensure a successful 2024 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons celebration.
