Nigeria calls for poverty alleviation programs against child trafficking
29 June 2010
Nigeria calls for poverty alleviation programs against child trafficking
17:02, June 29, 2010 
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The Nigerian government has said implementation of poverty alleviation programs aimed at enhancing socioeconomic conditions of families can help in combating child trafficking.
Minister of Women Affairs Josephine Anenih said this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 4th Specialized Meeting on Child Trafficking in West and Central Africa organized by the Interpol African Regional Bureau and the Nigeria Police.
She said progress could be recorded in combating child trafficking within the sub-region through advocacy and sensitization programs targeted at rural communities where majority of the people live.
Anenih said the menace of child trafficking in Africa becomes prominent in the last two decades because of the severe economic challenges faced by the continent.
"In this regard, trafficking in children for prostitution and forced labor have been elevated to lucrative business enterprises by cartels," she said.
"Records indicate that trafficking in persons, especially women and children, constitute the third largest profit yielding business behind arms dealing and narcotics," the minister added.
Anenih, quoting the UN statistics, said traffickers generated between 7 billion U.S. dollars and 10 billion dollars annually from the illicit trade.
"An African child trafficked to the United States might earn the trafficker between 10,000 dollars and 200,000 dollars annually, " the minister added.
Anenih said the meeting demonstrated the commitment of governments in the sub-region as well as the concern of international organizations to stem the menace of child trafficking.
Minister of Women Affairs Josephine Anenih said this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 4th Specialized Meeting on Child Trafficking in West and Central Africa organized by the Interpol African Regional Bureau and the Nigeria Police.
She said progress could be recorded in combating child trafficking within the sub-region through advocacy and sensitization programs targeted at rural communities where majority of the people live.
Anenih said the menace of child trafficking in Africa becomes prominent in the last two decades because of the severe economic challenges faced by the continent.
"In this regard, trafficking in children for prostitution and forced labor have been elevated to lucrative business enterprises by cartels," she said.
"Records indicate that trafficking in persons, especially women and children, constitute the third largest profit yielding business behind arms dealing and narcotics," the minister added.
Anenih, quoting the UN statistics, said traffickers generated between 7 billion U.S. dollars and 10 billion dollars annually from the illicit trade.
"An African child trafficked to the United States might earn the trafficker between 10,000 dollars and 200,000 dollars annually, " the minister added.
Anenih said the meeting demonstrated the commitment of governments in the sub-region as well as the concern of international organizations to stem the menace of child trafficking.