CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
Recent years has witnessed a
continuous deterioration of the domestic and international economy. The
Nigerian economy prior to the 1980s was generally considered as healthy and
productive. Unemployment was hardly spoken of since most Nigerians and family heads
were engaged in one form of employment or the other, thus being able to provide
materially for their families.
The down-turn in the Nigerian economy
became significantly noticeable especially from the 1980s during the president
Shehu Shagari administration 1979 - 1983. This period witnessed a dramatic
decline in the fortunes of the Nigerian economy due largely to a combination of
factors ranging from mismanagement, corruption of government officials, decline
in the global crude oil prices to as low as $10
among others.
Despite measures taken by that
government and successive governments both military and civilian, the Nigerian
economy continuous to experience decline. In view of the reality of a steadily
worsening economy, social challenges like family collapse, immorality, youth
delinquency child and adult prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases, crime
among others have become the order of the day with very sad consequences.
The rise in child prostitution
especially in recent times, is a clear testimony of the fallen moral standard
in the country. As in Nigeria, this situation is global in dimension i.e. not
restricted to Nigeria. The world over, the declining economy has thrown up
those challenges earlier identified.
Internally or at home, girls as young
as 14 years are fully engaged in prostitution or as commercial sex workers.
Same goes for girls in other countries of the world who desperate to make a
living due largely to parental neglect or inability of their parents to
adequately take care of their material needs, engaged themselves as prostitutes
or sex workers, some even fending for their families.
The phenomenon of child prostitution
thus cannot be ignored as it portends great danger for the society, morally,
socially and health wise both presently and in the future. This explains
efforts at both national and international levels at addressing this ugly and
unfortunate trend.
1.1 Background to the Study
Child prostitution as already noted
is a steadily increasing but disturbing phenomenon in Nigeria. Nigeria like
other countries especially in Africa and Asia, places more emphasis on
protecting and providing materially for female or the girl child.
This emphasis on providing and
protecting female children from abuse stems from cultural or traditional values
which frowns on any form of immoral behaviour or conduct on the part of females
generally, seeing them as only meant to be given out in marriage to eligible
suitors.
It is thus considered as taboo for a
young girl to engage in sexual activities without the benefit of marriage.
Young girls are expected to keep their virginity until marriage since such
brings pride to their parents within the community.
The prevailing situation in recent
times both in Nigeria and globally is an upsurge in child prostitution. This
disturbing trend could be linked more closely to the declining Nigerian and
global economy which have made it practically impossible for many heads of
families to provide materially for their families.
In a situation of unemployment and
inflation, poverty can only be the result. It is given this situation that
families experience breakdowns, crimes increases and sad enough, children
become prostitutes or sex workers so as to provide for their material needs
which their parents fails to provide. In some situations, children assume the
role of breadwinners for their families.
It is within this background that the
study attempts to examine the implications of this trend for the society at
large and the child prostitute in particular, while also considering how such
trends are being addressed by governmental and non-governmental organizations
and the challenges encountered in so doing.
1.2 Statement of Problems
The following shall be statement of
problems for the study:
·
Since
child prostitution is the product of an ailing national and global economy, is
the fight against child prostitution not futile without addressing its
underlying cause which is the bad economy?
·
Considering
the fact that not all children from poor homes are prostitutes or sex workers,
can the poor economy be wholly responsible for the problem of child
prostitution?
·
If
child prostitution persists despite well-meaning efforts of governmental and
non-governmental organizations to stamp it out, does that not indicate that
perhaps this problem is being addressed wrongly?
·
Since
child prostitution persist despite well-meaning efforts both by governmental
and non-governmental agencies to stamp it out, does that not suggest that a
return to strict traditional moral code of conduct or a return to traditional
values may be a better and more effective option at addressing this situation?
·
Can
the issue of child prostitution be successfully addressed in the face of an
internet connected society?
1.3 Purpose of the Study
It is the purpose of this study among
others to closely and critically examine the phenomenon of child prostitution,
while equally appraising its implications and institutional responses and
challenges.
The study is equally a determination
to examine the causes leading to or giving rise to child prostitution both in
Nigeria and internationally since it is a global problem.
The study is also determined at
examining the implications of child prostitution for the society as well as for
the prostituting child. The responses of government and other non-governmental
organization towards addressing this problems as well as challenges encountered
in addressing or perhaps putting an end to this situation are what the study
purposes to discuss or critically examine.
1.4 Aims of Study
The study basically aims at a
detailed examination of child prostitution especially in Nigeria and globally.
It is equally the aim of the study to identify those factors or justifications
for child prostitution as well as its implications for the society.
It is equally the aim of the study to
examine efforts by governmental and non-governmental organizations at checking
or curbing child prostitution, arresting those organizing or encouraging this
criminal form of business, prosecuting and equally punishing them.
The study aims to identify the mode
of recruitment of children into prostitution, the challenges of checking this
criminal enterprise by law enforcement agents both locally and internationally.
1.5 Justification
of the Study
The study is justified considering
the increasing or alarming rate at which children are being recruited into
prostitution both locally and globally. The study can also be justified in view
of the social, health and economic implications of child prostitution since it
impacts negatively on the girl prostitute, her family and the world generally.
Equally justifying the study is the
need to know and appreciate efforts made by governmental and none-governmental
organizations both locally and internationally at stamping out or checking this
form of crime while also punishing those responsible for it.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study primarily addresses the issue of child prostitution and an
appraisal of its implications, institutional responses and challenges.
That being the case, the study addresses the causes of child
prostitution, its socio-economic and health implications for the child
prostitute and the nation and by extension the world generally.
Within the scope of the study is an examination of the state of the
Nigeria economy especially in the 1980’s being the era of the shagari’s
government being the period the Nigerian economy experienced a decline from
which it had never recovered till date.
The study has within its scope an examination of the responses of governmental
and non-government organizations towards addressing this problem as well as
challenges encountered towards addressing this problem as well as challenges
encountered which may be making it difficult in achieving results as desired.
1.7 Significance of the Study
The study is significant considering
the fact that it helps us understand and better appreciate the causes of child
prostitution nationally and globally.
Also significant about the study is
the fact that it helps us appreciate the place and role of traditional Nigerian
and African values in checking the social and moral attitudes of youths within
the society.
More importantly, the significance of
the study is better appreciated considering the fact that it reveals the
social, economic and health implications of child prostitution, while equally
calling attention to the responses of governmental and non-governmental
organizations at addressing this issue.
The nature of these responses, the
extent to which they have been effective or ineffective in addressing this
issue as well as challenges encountered in addressing this problem are all
discussed in the study for better understanding and appreciation, thus making the
study the more significant.
1.8 Research
Methodology I Data Sources
In developing the study, the
historical and analytical approaches shall be adopted. In other words, the
study shall be developed historically, where sensitive or important issues
arises, these shall be subjected to critical analysis or appraisal for better
understanding and appreciation.
Data or information for developing
the study shall be sourced from textbooks, newspapers, magazines, journals as
Well as the internet.
1.9 Limitations
of the Study
The study may be limited by the
challenge of verifying the accuracy of statistical data provided by our
sources.
Equally capable of limiting the study
is the challenge of determining the actual number of girls engaged as
prostitutes or sex workers in Nigeria and globally. Whatever statistics or
figures given may simply be a matter of assumption as this may not represent
the true position.
The study may equally be limited by
the challenge of actual measuring or determining the level of responses from
governmental and non- governmental agencies towards addressing this issue as
well as the level of successes recorded in this effort.
Equally limiting the study is the
problem of determining the extent to which identified challenges to addressing
the issue of child prostitution has hampered such efforts or perhaps if the
lack of success may be due to the inefficiency of personnel of such agencies.
1.10 Organization/Structure of the Study
The study is divided into five
chapters:
Chapter one discusses the
Introduction, Background to the Study, Statement of research Problems,
Objectives/Purpose of the Study, Aims of the study, Justification of the Study,
Scope of the Study, Significance of the Study, Research Methodology / Data
Sources, Limitations of the study, Organization of the Study.
Chapter two reviews relevant
Literatures to the study.
Chapter three examines global
economic situation, societal conditions and expectations and Implications of
Child Prostitution.
Chapter four discusses the domestic
as well as international institutional responses and challenges towards
addressing child prostitution.
Chapter five is the Summary,
Conclusion and Recommendations.
1.11 Definitions
of Terms
UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund: An
agency of the United Nations charged with the responsibility of improving the
general well-being of children globally.
UNESCO - United Nation Educational and
Scientific Organization: An agency of the United Nations with the
responsibility of advancing educational and scientific progress and
co-operation among member states for the overall improvement of the world's
population.
ILO - International Labour Organization: It
is an agency of the United Nations saddled with the task of improving the
working conditions and environment within which people work, while equally
protecting them from exploitation and exposure to harmful substances detrimental
to their health and overall productivity.
NAPTIP - National Agency for the Prohibition
in Trafficking in Persons:
An agency of the federal government
established to check the trafficking in person’s especially young girls and
women out of the country either for prostitution or other forms of domestic
slavery.
WOTCLEF - Women Trafficking and Child Labour
Eradication Foundation: Founded by Mrs. Titi Abubakar aimed at checking the
trafficking of children for prostitution or domestic slavery.
FIDA - Federation of Women Lawyers: An
association of women lawyers in Nigeria with the task of rendering legal
services to women and children who are victims of trafficking, prostitution or
forced labour.
NCWS - National Council of Women Societies:
An organization comprising all organizations in the country engaged in issues
pertaining to the protection of children and women from being trafficked either
for the purpose of prostitution or as domestic labour;
The Hague
Convention: An
important legal instrument of the U.N for the prevention of the international
trafficking in persons.
The Rome Statute: It is a legal instrument of the International Criminal Court
aimed at punishing those found guilty of crime against humanity.
The ILO Convention: This Convention is a legal instrument
that prohibits and seek to eliminate all forms of child labour including
prostitution.
Optional protocol to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child:
This provides guarantee against
transactions pertaining to children for the purpose of prostitution or child
labour.
Optional protocol to the Convention
on the right of the child in Armed Conflicts: An international legal instrument
that protects and prohibits the recruitment of children into armed conflicts
either as soldiers or prostitutes.
The United Nations Convention on
Transnational Organized Crime: An international legal instrument that criminalizes and
punishes child trafficking and prostitution.
The United
Nations Protocol: Is
equally a legal instrument that criminalizes punishes child trafficking and
prostitution.
HIV / AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome:
A disease that is global in nature transmitted through sexual contact with an
infected person, contact with infected blood or body-fluid. It renders the
infected persons' immunity useless, making such one susceptible to all forms of
infection.
WHO - World Trade Organization: A world
body that regulates trading activities globally among member nations with a
view to enhancing free trade.
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