INTERROGATING GENDER DIMENSIONS TO SEX TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Gender equality is an area of human experience with high complexity, implicit and explicit manifestations, as well as implications for local and international organized crime, such as drug and human trafficking, especially sex trafficking. Sex trafficking and other forms of sexual exploitations are influenced by gender discrimination and oppression. Hence, the main objective of the study was to investigate the gender dimensions to sex trafficking in Nigeria. The research was qualitative, and generated data from both primary sources using structured interview guide and secondary sources like relevant textbooks, journal articles, newspapers and the Internet, and all data were content analyzed. The study found that the nature of discrimination in Nigeria may be reducing, but that poverty and other factors such as patriarchy, illiteracy and culture among others, continue to pose a challenge effective management of sex trafficking in Nigeria. Also, sex trafficking in Nigeria is significantly influenced by gender discrimination, especially, along cultural lines. The study concludes that the phenomenon of gender discrimination in African generally and Nigeria in particular is complicated by the patriarchal nature of the African and Nigerian society. It was recommended that government should make policies that ensure better per-capital income and better standard of living for people living in the rural communities in particular. Also, both government and various other organizations and stakeholders should invest in both formal and informal education in rural Nigerian communities, as education will serve as a viable to sex trafficking in Nigeria.