4 - Gender Issues in Human trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author(s) : Clementina O. Osezua
African Sociological Review,
Vol. 20 No. 1 (2016): African Sociological Review
Abstract
This study examined the predominance of human trafficking within a social cultural milieu
in Nigeria, by taking into account gender issues that have reinforced the phenomenon in the
region. The paper relied on primary data generated from an anthropological fieldwork conducted
in the affected area. A total of 120 household heads were purposively selected and interviewed
in order to capture family dynamics and power relations and women status in contemporary
Benin society. In addition four key-informants were interviewed to appreciate the historical
and cultural context of the Benin people. Furthermore, eighteen (18) Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs) were conducted among males, females and youths with a view to capturing the insiders’
perspective of the perceived gender issues precipitating human trafficking. Findings revealed
that the presence of classical patriarchy as shown in high prevalence of polygyny, male- child
preference, inheritance and succession systems and highly controlled female sexuality, segregated
and unequal access to critical economic resources have continued to heighten the inequality
within the social structure in favour of the male child. The paper concluded that efforts targeted
towards eradicating existing gender inequality in the region can potentially mitigate the
convoluted challenges posed by high human trafficking incidences in the region.
Keywords
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- Aghatise, E. (2002). Trafficking for prostitution in Italy: Concept paper. Presented in Expert Group Meeting on “Trafficking in women and girls”, Glen Cove: New York, 18-22 Nov.
- Aina, O. (1998). “Women, culture and Society” in Amadu Sesay and Adetanwa Odebiyi (eds). Nigerian Women in Society and Development. Ibadan:Dokun Publishing House.
- Abhulimen, P. (1999). Trafficking in women in Nigeria: The modern slavery. Paper presented at the National Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria:“The Modern Day Slavery”, Lagos, 2 Dec, 2002.
- Bhabha, J. (2005). Trafficking, smuggling and human rights. Migration fundamental. Available Online at http://www.migrationinformation.org.feature.display. cfm?ID=29{accessed on 7/8/2007} Bradbury, R. (1957). The Benin kingdom and the Edo speaking people of South-Western Nigeria.
- London: International African Institute.
- Conseil du Statut de la Femm (2002) http://www.csf.gouv.qc.ca/teecharg/publication/synthesisIProstitutionWorkonExploitation.pdf {accessed 28/07/07} Curnow, K. (1997). Prestige and gentlemen: Benin’s ideal man. Art Journal, 56 (2): 75- 81.
- DeVault, M.(1990). Talking and listening from women’s standpoints: Feminist strategies for interviewing and analysis. Social Problems, 37, 96–116.
- Ebohon, O. (1996). The Life of an African Woman: The Benin Woman in Focus.
- Lecture Delivered on Black Solidarity Day. Ney York, 4th of November. Egharevba, J. (1946).
- Benin laws and customs. Port Harcourt: C.M.S, Niger Press. Giwa-Osagie, F. (1999). Trafficking in women: the modern slavery-police perspective. Paper presented at the National Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria: “The Modern Day Slavery”, Lagos, 2 Dec 2002.
- Gender Report in Nigeria (2012). Improving the lives of Girls’ and Women: Issues Policies and Action. British Council of Nigeria.
- Hirchson, R. (1984). Introduction to property, power, and gender relations. In Hirchson (Ed.) Women and property, women as property (pp1-2).NewYork: St Martins press.
- Igbafe, P. (1979). Slavery and emancipation in Benin (1897-1945). Journal of African history, 15(3): 409-429.
- International Organization for Migration (2002). Trafficking in Women and Children for Sexual Exploitation, Republic of Moldora Chisinau: International Migration for migration.
- International Labour Migration (2008) Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, ILO: Geneva Kempadoo. K. (2005). From Moral Panic to Global Justice: Changing Perspective on Trafficking in Kamada Kempadoo, ed., Trafficking and Prostitutio Reconsidered: New Perspectives on Migration; Sex Work and Human Rights. Boulder; Paradigm Loconto, A (2001). The trafficking of women into Italy, Ted Case Studies, No 656, January.
- Long (2004) Anthropological perspectives of trafficking of women for sexual exploitation.
- International Migration. 42 pp5-31 Malthazan, K. (2002). Trafficking in women for prostitution. Paper presented at the “Australian Women’s Conference”, Canberra, 28, August 2000.
- Martins, S. (2003). Women and Migration, Report Presented at the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (PAW) Consultative Meeting on “Migration and Mobility and how this Movement Affects Women”. Malmo, Sweden 2-4, December, 2003.
- Maus, M. (Ed.), (1990).The gift, the form, and reason for exchange in archaic societies.
- London: Routledge. Musacchio, V. (2004). Migration, Prostitution and Trafficking in Women: an Overview Germen Law Journal, Vol. 5, No. 09.
- NAPTIP (2008) http://www.naptip.gov.ng/docs/National%20Policy%20-%20June%202008.pdf Retrieved 12/02/13
- Norli, B. (2006). (Foreign Prostitution in Oslo-Knowledge and Experience gained by Pro Centre.
- Currently Available onhttp://www.prosentret.no/images/storeis/prositution/uterland%20prostitution%20iosl%202005.pdf (accessed 1st August, 2006).
- Nzegwu, N. (2004). The epistemological challenge of motherhood. Jenda: A Journal of culure and African women studies (1-27)[ Journal online]. Retrieved September, 2006, from the World Wide Web:http//jendajournals.com/issue5/nzeguwu. html
- Oakely, A. (1974). Women’s Work, Veritage . New York Okojie,C. (1992). Widowhood practices and socio-cultural restrictions on women’s behavior in Edo State of Nigeria” Women in Africa and Africans in Diaspora: Building Bridges of knowledge and power, Religion and knowledge and power, Vol 1X. Pp199-218 Okpokunu, E., Agbontaen-Eghafona K. and P. Ojo (2005). Benin Dressing in Contemporary Nigeria: Social Change and the Crisis of Cultural Identity African Identities, Vol. 3, No. 2, Pp. 155-170.
- Omorodion, F. (2004). The impact of petroleum refinery on the economic livelihood of women in Niger- Delta region of Nigeria. Jenda: A Journal of culture and men’s studies, Issue 6,1-11.
- Onosode, E. (1999). Social implication of trafficking in women in Nigeria. Paper presented at the National Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria: “The Modern Day Slavery”, Lagos, 2 December.
- Onyejekwe, C. (2005). Influences of Global Human Trafficking Issues on Nigeria: A Gender Perspective Journal of International Women’s Studies, Vol. 7, No. 2.
- Onyeonoru, I. (2003).“Push Factors in Girl Trafficking for International Commercial Sex Work and the Gender Implication: A Study of Bamn, Edo State” African Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies.Vol. 1, No. 3.
- Onyeonoru, I. (2001). “Globalization and Labour Migration: The Socio-Economic Context of Nigerian New Bread Commercial Sex Workers’ Journal of Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Association,Vol. 2, No. 1, October.
- Osakue, G. and Okoedion, B. (2002). Trafficking in girls: the way forward. A research report on Delta and Edo Stases, Benin City: Girls’ Power Initiative (G.P.I.).
- Osarumwense, N. (1999). The Benin customary law of inheritance of a woman’s property(ies) in retrospect. Benin Studies Newsletter, April-Aug. 4(2): 2-3.
- Osezua, O.C (2011) Cross-border sex trade, Transnational Remittances and changing family structures among Benin women of Southern Nigeria. Gender and Behaviours. Published by Ife Psychologia and the Psychological Studies of Women Issues. University of Ibadan. Vol. 9 No 2. Pp4276-4297
- Osezua, O.C. (2012). The Woman’s Body, a Man’s Field: The Commoditization of Female Sexuality among the Benin People of Southern Nigeria in Challenges of Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria at 50: Issues and Policy Options Eds. E.A. Akinlo, O.I. Orimogunje, A.I. Akinyemi and J.O. Aransiola .
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Pp 168-185 Osezua, O.C. (2013) The Transmogrified of religious systems and the phenomenon of human trafficking among the Benin People of Nigeria. Journal of Arts and Humanities. Haramaya University, Dire Dawa Ethiopia. Vol2 (3) pp..20-35.
- Osezua, O.C. (2016) “Gender and Religious Dimensions of Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa” in Religious Diversity Today: experiencing Religion un the Contemporary World. Vol 3. Religion Transforming Societies and Social Lives. Eds. Jean –Guy Goulet, Liam Murphy and Anastasia Panagakos. Praeger publishers, United States of America. Pp. 303-322.
- Parrandang, D. (1999). Modern day slavery: immigration view. Paper presented at theNational Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria: “The Modern DaySlavery”, Lagos, 2 Dec 1999 Ritzer, G. (2000) Sociological Theory. Macgraw Hills, New York
- Skogeth, G. (2006): Fact Finding trip to Nigeria (Abuja Lagos and Benin City) 12-26 March 2006.
- Oslo: Landirifo June. Available from www.landinfo.no (accessed 29 June, 2007).
- Stacey, J. (1993). “Untangling Feminist theory” in Richardson D. and RoBeninson V. (eds.) Introducing women’s Studies: Feminist Theory and Practice. London: Macmillan Tyldum, G. Tviet, M. Brunovskis A. (2005). Taking Stock A Review of the Existing Research on Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation Norway: Fafo.
- Ucarer, E. (1999). “Trafficking in Women: Alternate Migration of Modern Slave Trade?”. In M.Meyer and E. Prugal (Eds.), Gender Politics in Global Governance London: Rowman and Little Field.
- United Nations Interregional Crimes and Justice (UNICRI) / United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), (2003). Trafficking of young women and minors from Nigeria into Italy for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Report of field survey in Edo State.
- Willis R. (1982). The Direction of Intergenerational Transfer and Demographic Transition. The Cadwell Hypothesis Re-examined, Population and Development Review 8, 207-234.
- Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) (2002). Sexual trafficking, a challenge to reproductive health in Nigeria. Special issue: Women’s health forum, 17(1):12 22. April Woods, Priest and Roberts (2002). An overview of three Different Approaches to theInterpretation of Qualitative Data. Part 2: practical illustrations. Nurse Researcher. 10 (1) pp.43-51.
- Yanagisako, S. and Collier, J. (2004). Towards a Unified Analysis of Gender and Kinship.In R. Parkins and L. Stones (Eds.), Kinship and Family (pp275-ted Kingdom: Blackwell.
References
Aghatise, E. (2002). Trafficking for prostitution in Italy: Concept paper. Presented in Expert Group Meeting on “Trafficking in women and girls”, Glen Cove: New York, 18-22 Nov.
Aina, O. (1998). “Women, culture and Society” in Amadu Sesay and Adetanwa Odebiyi (eds). Nigerian Women in Society and Development. Ibadan:Dokun Publishing House.
Abhulimen, P. (1999). Trafficking in women in Nigeria: The modern slavery. Paper presented at the National Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria:“The Modern Day Slavery”, Lagos, 2 Dec, 2002.
Bhabha, J. (2005). Trafficking, smuggling and human rights. Migration fundamental. Available Online at http://www.migrationinformation.org.feature.display. cfm?ID=29{accessed on 7/8/2007} Bradbury, R. (1957). The Benin kingdom and the Edo speaking people of South-Western Nigeria.
London: International African Institute.
Conseil du Statut de la Femm (2002) http://www.csf.gouv.qc.ca/teecharg/publication/synthesisIProstitutionWorkonExploitation.pdf {accessed 28/07/07} Curnow, K. (1997). Prestige and gentlemen: Benin’s ideal man. Art Journal, 56 (2): 75- 81.
DeVault, M.(1990). Talking and listening from women’s standpoints: Feminist strategies for interviewing and analysis. Social Problems, 37, 96–116.
Ebohon, O. (1996). The Life of an African Woman: The Benin Woman in Focus.
Lecture Delivered on Black Solidarity Day. Ney York, 4th of November. Egharevba, J. (1946).
Benin laws and customs. Port Harcourt: C.M.S, Niger Press. Giwa-Osagie, F. (1999). Trafficking in women: the modern slavery-police perspective. Paper presented at the National Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria: “The Modern Day Slavery”, Lagos, 2 Dec 2002.
Gender Report in Nigeria (2012). Improving the lives of Girls’ and Women: Issues Policies and Action. British Council of Nigeria.
Hirchson, R. (1984). Introduction to property, power, and gender relations. In Hirchson (Ed.) Women and property, women as property (pp1-2).NewYork: St Martins press.
Igbafe, P. (1979). Slavery and emancipation in Benin (1897-1945). Journal of African history, 15(3): 409-429.
International Organization for Migration (2002). Trafficking in Women and Children for Sexual Exploitation, Republic of Moldora Chisinau: International Migration for migration.
International Labour Migration (2008) Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, ILO: Geneva Kempadoo. K. (2005). From Moral Panic to Global Justice: Changing Perspective on Trafficking in Kamada Kempadoo, ed., Trafficking and Prostitutio Reconsidered: New Perspectives on Migration; Sex Work and Human Rights. Boulder; Paradigm Loconto, A (2001). The trafficking of women into Italy, Ted Case Studies, No 656, January.
Long (2004) Anthropological perspectives of trafficking of women for sexual exploitation.
International Migration. 42 pp5-31 Malthazan, K. (2002). Trafficking in women for prostitution. Paper presented at the “Australian Women’s Conference”, Canberra, 28, August 2000.
Martins, S. (2003). Women and Migration, Report Presented at the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (PAW) Consultative Meeting on “Migration and Mobility and how this Movement Affects Women”. Malmo, Sweden 2-4, December, 2003.
Maus, M. (Ed.), (1990).The gift, the form, and reason for exchange in archaic societies.
London: Routledge. Musacchio, V. (2004). Migration, Prostitution and Trafficking in Women: an Overview Germen Law Journal, Vol. 5, No. 09.
NAPTIP (2008) http://www.naptip.gov.ng/docs/National%20Policy%20-%20June%202008.pdf Retrieved 12/02/13
Norli, B. (2006). (Foreign Prostitution in Oslo-Knowledge and Experience gained by Pro Centre.
Currently Available onhttp://www.prosentret.no/images/storeis/prositution/uterland%20prostitution%20iosl%202005.pdf (accessed 1st August, 2006).
Nzegwu, N. (2004). The epistemological challenge of motherhood. Jenda: A Journal of culure and African women studies (1-27)[ Journal online]. Retrieved September, 2006, from the World Wide Web:http//jendajournals.com/issue5/nzeguwu. html
Oakely, A. (1974). Women’s Work, Veritage . New York Okojie,C. (1992). Widowhood practices and socio-cultural restrictions on women’s behavior in Edo State of Nigeria” Women in Africa and Africans in Diaspora: Building Bridges of knowledge and power, Religion and knowledge and power, Vol 1X. Pp199-218 Okpokunu, E., Agbontaen-Eghafona K. and P. Ojo (2005). Benin Dressing in Contemporary Nigeria: Social Change and the Crisis of Cultural Identity African Identities, Vol. 3, No. 2, Pp. 155-170.
Omorodion, F. (2004). The impact of petroleum refinery on the economic livelihood of women in Niger- Delta region of Nigeria. Jenda: A Journal of culture and men’s studies, Issue 6,1-11.
Onosode, E. (1999). Social implication of trafficking in women in Nigeria. Paper presented at the National Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria: “The Modern Day Slavery”, Lagos, 2 December.
Onyejekwe, C. (2005). Influences of Global Human Trafficking Issues on Nigeria: A Gender Perspective Journal of International Women’s Studies, Vol. 7, No. 2.
Onyeonoru, I. (2003).“Push Factors in Girl Trafficking for International Commercial Sex Work and the Gender Implication: A Study of Bamn, Edo State” African Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies.Vol. 1, No. 3.
Onyeonoru, I. (2001). “Globalization and Labour Migration: The Socio-Economic Context of Nigerian New Bread Commercial Sex Workers’ Journal of Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Association,Vol. 2, No. 1, October.
Osakue, G. and Okoedion, B. (2002). Trafficking in girls: the way forward. A research report on Delta and Edo Stases, Benin City: Girls’ Power Initiative (G.P.I.).
Osarumwense, N. (1999). The Benin customary law of inheritance of a woman’s property(ies) in retrospect. Benin Studies Newsletter, April-Aug. 4(2): 2-3.
Osezua, O.C (2011) Cross-border sex trade, Transnational Remittances and changing family structures among Benin women of Southern Nigeria. Gender and Behaviours. Published by Ife Psychologia and the Psychological Studies of Women Issues. University of Ibadan. Vol. 9 No 2. Pp4276-4297
Osezua, O.C. (2012). The Woman’s Body, a Man’s Field: The Commoditization of Female Sexuality among the Benin People of Southern Nigeria in Challenges of Socio-Economic Development in Nigeria at 50: Issues and Policy Options Eds. E.A. Akinlo, O.I. Orimogunje, A.I. Akinyemi and J.O. Aransiola .
Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Pp 168-185 Osezua, O.C. (2013) The Transmogrified of religious systems and the phenomenon of human trafficking among the Benin People of Nigeria. Journal of Arts and Humanities. Haramaya University, Dire Dawa Ethiopia. Vol2 (3) pp..20-35.
Osezua, O.C. (2016) “Gender and Religious Dimensions of Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa” in Religious Diversity Today: experiencing Religion un the Contemporary World. Vol 3. Religion Transforming Societies and Social Lives. Eds. Jean –Guy Goulet, Liam Murphy and Anastasia Panagakos. Praeger publishers, United States of America. Pp. 303-322.
Parrandang, D. (1999). Modern day slavery: immigration view. Paper presented at theNational Workshop on trafficking in women in Nigeria: “The Modern DaySlavery”, Lagos, 2 Dec 1999 Ritzer, G. (2000) Sociological Theory. Macgraw Hills, New York
Skogeth, G. (2006): Fact Finding trip to Nigeria (Abuja Lagos and Benin City) 12-26 March 2006.
Oslo: Landirifo June. Available from www.landinfo.no (accessed 29 June, 2007).
Stacey, J. (1993). “Untangling Feminist theory” in Richardson D. and RoBeninson V. (eds.) Introducing women’s Studies: Feminist Theory and Practice. London: Macmillan Tyldum, G. Tviet, M. Brunovskis A. (2005). Taking Stock A Review of the Existing Research on Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation Norway: Fafo.
Ucarer, E. (1999). “Trafficking in Women: Alternate Migration of Modern Slave Trade?”. In M.Meyer and E. Prugal (Eds.), Gender Politics in Global Governance London: Rowman and Little Field.
United Nations Interregional Crimes and Justice (UNICRI) / United Nations Office for Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), (2003). Trafficking of young women and minors from Nigeria into Italy for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Report of field survey in Edo State.
Willis R. (1982). The Direction of Intergenerational Transfer and Demographic Transition. The Cadwell Hypothesis Re-examined, Population and Development Review 8, 207-234.
Women’s Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC) (2002). Sexual trafficking, a challenge to reproductive health in Nigeria. Special issue: Women’s health forum, 17(1):12 22. April Woods, Priest and Roberts (2002). An overview of three Different Approaches to theInterpretation of Qualitative Data. Part 2: practical illustrations. Nurse Researcher. 10 (1) pp.43-51.
Yanagisako, S. and Collier, J. (2004). Towards a Unified Analysis of Gender and Kinship.In R. Parkins and L. Stones (Eds.), Kinship and Family (pp275-ted Kingdom: Blackwell.