By Uzo Ugwunze
Equitable Health for Women and Empowerment Initiatives(EHWEI) has expressed its willingness to collaborate with Ebonyi State Ministry of Education to tackle the education challenges of child sex trafficked victims and under aged female sex workers.
The group also pledged to collaborate collaborate with the State Ministry of Health to handle the challenges of mental health of the survivors of child sex trafficking and under age female sex workers in the State.
Speaking during its second quarter stakeholder’s meeting, Executive Director, EHWEI, Igwe Precious Nneka said the partnership would include offering scholarships to the child sex trafficked victims and under aged female sex workers.
The event was in collaboration with local and national organizations, including Non- governmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations and government agencies towards sharing best practices, resources, and expertise in combating child sex trafficking.
Igwe further promised that the organization would work closely with Roy Ukwuoma from Glorious Fm to reach to the hinter lands with child sex trafficking and under aged female sex workers messages using his special program on the radio.
She said, “Child sex trafficking and under aged female sex workers are egregious violations of children’s right, undermining their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
“In Ebonyi state, the phenomenon of child sex trafficking and under age female sex workers has become a pressing concern, necessitating a comprehensive and coordinated response.
“EHWEI aims to tackle the root causes of child sex trafficking and under age female sex workers, including poverty, discrimination and stigma, lack of education, and social inequality.
“By adopting a holistic approach, incorporating prevention, protection, prosecution, and rehabilitation strategies, EHWEI seeks to prevent child sex trafficking and under age female workers through awareness-raising, stakeholders and community engagement, and economic empowerment.
“EHWEI also protect child victims through the provision of safe shelters, counseling and medical support as well as prosecute perpetrators through strengthened law enforcement and judicial mechanisms.
“By addressing the complex issues surrounding child sex trafficking and under age female workers, EHWEI aims to create a safer, more just, and equitable society for all children in Ebonyi State.
On her part, EHWEI Program Officer, Paul Gloria listed completed project by the organization to include Sex Workers empowerment through Equitable Policy Change on Human Dignity and Equal Access to Service delivery, Grant.
“We also bridged the Gap in Service Provision for Female Sex Workers in Ebonyi State, Grant, both funded by ISDAO-Love Alliance.
“Activities implemented by EHWEI in 2024 included mapping of under aged Female sex workers hot-spots across the 13 LGAs in Ebonyi state, advocacy visits to key Stakeholders and Healthcare facilities and a 4 days training of staff on Advocacy strategic plan and program management.
“Others were developing of IEC Massages and Production of IEC Materials, entrepreneurship Seminars for Older FSWs, State Partnership and Stakeholders Meeting, International Day of the Girl Child(Girl Child Workshop).
“Mental Health Outreach, Community Sensitization Road Outreaches on the dangers of Child sex Trafficking and Under aged sex work, World AIDS Day Rally.
“There is now enhanced healthcare access and inclusivity of 106 victims of child trafficking and under aged female sex workers, in 8 healthcare facilities and EHWEI have so far intensified referrals to those facilities with advocacy plans to improves services in others.
“EHWEI was able to increase the awareness of 50 stakeholders on the dangers of child sex trafficking and under aged sex work in Ebonyi state. These stakeholders now served as allies in various ministries and healthcare facilities in ensuring that child sex trafficking and under aged sex work is reduced to it barest minimum in Ebonyi state.
“50 FSWs were impacted through the entrepreneurship seminar which resulted in improved capacity on skills acquisition and self-employment and can now offer entrepreneurship mentorship even in absence of EHWEI.
“Our sensitization and legal education has led to a gradual shift in attitude of 60 brothel owners, brothel charladies/managers in 4 brothels in Ebonyi state towards ending child sex trafficking and underage female sex work, These changes mark a great step towards ending child sex trafficking and underage female sex work in Ebonyi State.
“350 FSWs were educated on Mental Health and Human Rights and they now serve as Mental health first aiders who will be responding to issues of mental health in the community, and also offering referral services to professional mental health therapist in health care facilities with support from EHWEI.
Gloria however noted that the achievements were not without challenges with corresponding actions taken by the group namely, unavailability of safe, secure and comfortable housing which makes it difficult for victims of child sex trafficking and under aged sex workers to escape exploitative situations.
“EHWEI thereby offer referral service to OSS, while still sourcing for grants to get our own safe space that provides special services for her community members.
“Secondly, unwillingness to stop exploitation. Despite the high level of awareness about the exploitation and dangers of child sex trafficking and under aged sex workers, brothel owners are still reluctant to pull out this victims from their brothels as a result of their selfish interest.
“Thirdly, post abortion care. Under aged sex workers face significant challenges in accessing post abortion care as a result of limited Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services, stigma and discrimination associated with complications, bleeding, and infection from abortions.
“EHWEI also gave general knowledge about post abortion care and offered referral services. EHWEI plan to invite a professional medical facilitator in the coming month that will provide adequate knowledge to the brothel charladies and sex workers.
State Coordinator, National Human Right Commission, Rev. Chris Onyekammadu assured that the Commission would always protect the FSWs and Children as far as the crime cases to them.
“Every human being has rights because they are human being. The Commission does not know what is called ‘Sin’ but only recognize “Crime’.
“We thank EHWEI for her continuous efforts to ensure that children and marginalized group as as female sex workers are protected and are not harassed against the Law, the FSWs does not use their areas for the habitation of criminals.
“NO REPORT! NO INTERVENSION.” We cannot do more than the information released by the victim.
Research Officer, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nnachi Daniel urged participants to contribute their ideas and opinion to ensure the aim of the gathering was achieved.