A Gender Development Initiative (GenDi) has trained 102 parents on human trafficking awareness in Ogun.
This the Gendi did in partnership the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, (ICMPD) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP).
Mrs Olubunmi Ashimolowo, Managing Director of GenDi, stated the project targets not only students but also parents and the wider school community.
She explained that the one-day workshop aimed to raise awareness, deepen knowledge, and strengthen grassroots responses to Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
Ashimolowo stressed that with the growing complexity of trafficking, schools and local communities must be well-informed and proactive.
“It is vital for educators, leaders, civil society, and agencies to detect, prevent, and respond to trafficking effectively,” she said.
The training is part of GenDi’s “Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project” (STEAP) initiative.
Ashimolowo said the training addressed urgent TIP issues and explored sustainable strategies for grassroots intervention and protection.
“The workshop helped parents understand TIP, its definition, elements, and legal frameworks,” she noted.
It also covered the root causes, impacts, and trends of trafficking, especially in schools and through online platforms.
Ashimolowo stated that participants were introduced to relevant national laws, international protocols, and victims’ rights.
“This legal grounding is vital for effective advocacy and community-based protection,” she added.
She emphasised the importance of joint efforts to prevent trafficking and protect vulnerable members of society.
Ashimolowo reaffirmed the NGO’s commitment to defending the rights and dignity of children and women in local communities.
She noted that six parents were selected from each of 17 secondary schools to participate in the programme. (NAN)
