A Non-Governmental Organisation has called for a centralised data system for survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, for eneffective evaluation.
The NGO, Cleen Foundation, made the call through one of its representatives in an online engagement on `Public Dissemination of Findings on the Gender Audit Report of Shelters and Safe Homes in Edo State’.
Mrs Ivy Basil-Ofili, also a human rights advocate, said that from the findings in Edo, there is a duplication of statistics particularly where survivors are referred to other agencies and safe homes or shelter..
She noted that the gender impact of service providers could not be ascertained as most organisations and agencies do not have adequate mechanisms for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) on specific cases, support services and referral mechanism.
“There is a data system process within Edo State Taskforce against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) with support from International Organization for Migration (IOM) which needs to be strengthened to further feed into a central data system in the Edo State.
“The state data can be domiciled within the relevant ministries like Ministry of Social Development and Gender issues which covers wider issues including GBV and Trafficking in Persons, Ministry of Youth or the Ministry of Budget and Planning,’’ she said.
She lauded the support given to female survivors of trafficking and violence but noted that there are limited service provision for men and boys particularly in safe homes or shelter, thereby putting them at a disadvantage.
Basil-Ofili called for an improved support service for male victims subjected to force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex, debt bondage, involuntary labour and human trafficking.
The human rights advocate called for the strengthening of the frameworks for coordination and collaboration of safe homes and shelters and further building of the capacity of member of staff within the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues.
Mr Benson Olugbuo, the Executive Director of the foundation, said that the public dissemination of findings on the gender audit report of safe homes and trafficking shelters resonates perfectly with the `16 Days global activism on GBV’.
Olugbuo, represented by Mrs Ruth Olofin, Programme Manager, Cleen Foundation said that an end to forced migration and trafficking of women, girls, men and boys, would build resilience, promote sustainable and development in Nigeria.
He called for the strengthening of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other relevant government agencies on gender responsiveness and interventions.
Olugbuo expressed optimism that the findings from the gender audit would serve as a useful tool to inform high level policy actions as well as guide the training of stakeholders on identified gap.
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