THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION IN EDO STATE,

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1 THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS IN COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION IN EDO STATE,

2 Presented by SR. MONICA OMOWUMI ROWLAND, SSH SUPERIOR GENERAL OF THE SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

3 INTRODUCTION Human trafficking is a modern day slavery that abuses and dehumanizes the dignity of the human person. It is a global problem that affects the lives of millions of people around the world. As HIS HOLINESS, Pope Francis has restated again and again, human trafficking is a crime against humanity, an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ, an evil to be eradicated.

4 THE WORK OF THE CHURCH IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST TRAFFICKING The Catholic Church in Nigeria is in the forefront in combating the issue of human trafficking and illegal migration. The church has supported and still supports all awareness raising programs in the fight against trafficking. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus undertake, as a Congregation, awareness raising campaign within the dioceses where we work. There are discussions between the Church and the State Government on how to rehabilitate returnees and victims of human trafficking.

5 Some of the Returnees from Libya in the Archdiocese of Benin City, Edo STATE We receive and help to resettle returnees from Libya in Edo State.

6 One of the apostolates Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to uplift the dignity of the human person, especially young girls and women; working towards the upliftment of the dignity of the downtrodden womanhood.

7 COUNSELING SESSION

8 Collaboration with other Church organs/agencies The Congregation of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus collaborates with: Archdiocese of Benin City Diocese of Uromi Caritas Nigeria The Santa Marta Group UK in fighting the evil of human trafficking in the state. COSUDOW (the Committee for the Support of Dignity of Women) and NAPTIP (The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons),

9 TWO STRATEGIC PILLARS WE USE IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION 1. Awareness Raising Campaign

10 How do we Carry out these two strategic pillars? WAYS OF RAISING AWARENESS Educating young boys and girls, women and the general public on the huge reality of human trafficking and illegal migration and its possible impact of irregular migration. Letting them know the signs and techniques adopted by traffickers to attract victims.

11 METHODS USED FOR RAISING AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCLUDE Use of Film show on trafficking and dramatization in local languages Addressing pupils and students in schools Designing a curriculum around this issue; to be implemented in our schools (yet to be fully effected) We organize seminar/workshop for young girls and women in the parishes and village communities Lectures for the youth in schools and churches Counseling

12 Creation of some livelihood opportunities as preventive measures Vocational Skill Acquisition Centre (Cottage Industry) providing marketable skills to young women and men who due to economic constraints could not complete their secondary education. Fullness of Life Counseling and Development Initiative (FULIFE).This provides Micro Credit facility to mothers and widow to enable them to make a living. We counsel s youth and children. And provide Scholarship for indigent Children

13 acquisition SKILLS TAUGHT AT our COTTAGE INDUSTRY Weaving of traditional African fabrics Sewing lesson Catering lesson Lesson on tie and dye (making of batik) Lesson on knitting Making of graphic designs Instructions on home management and simple hygiene

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15 SEWING LESSON

16 Weaving of traditional African fabrics

17 Catering /Baking Lesson

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19 Hostel that can accommodate the capacity of 25 girls at the cottage industry

20 May St. Josephine Bakhita Patroness of migrants continue to intercede for us, Thanks for listening