THE REPORT OF A 3-DAY WORKSHOP ON technical REVIEW AND VALIDATION OF THE ZERO DRAFT OF MINIMUM STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR SERVICES PROVIDERS PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCES TO VICTIMS  OF TRAFFICKING AND MIGRANTS EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE HELD  ON TUESDAY 2ND – THURSDAY 4TH FEBRUARY, 2021 AT REIZ CONTINENTAL HOTEL, FCT, ABUJA

 

  • Background

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the year 2015 developed the guidelines for National Reference Mechanism (NRM). The document is aimed defining roles and responsibilities of NRM Partners and services that should be provided for the Trafficked Persons (TPs).. In furtherance to this effort, NAPTIP in November produced a Zero Draft of the Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Service Providers Providing Direct Assistances to Victims of Trafficking and Migrants Expose to Violence. The 3-day Workshop was aimed at reviewing and validating the produced Zero Draft. The Workshop was an EU External Action Funded Project titled Action against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) and implemented by FIAAP.

  • Attendance

The workshop featured the participation of relevant stakeholders including MDAs, Private sectors, Development partners, NGOs, and CSOs. The Ministry was represented by ACSWO/GA; Nwosu Uju.

  • Opening

The workshop started at 11.00 am with the 1st Stanza of the National Anthem as the opening prayer which was followed by self-introduction of all the participants. The Goodwill Messages were generally focused on the huge effort and successes NAPTIP and the Partners (A-TIPSOM AND FIAAP) have achieved in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.  The opening Address of the NAPTIP DGF; Mrs. Inaam Suleiman Ibrahim emphasized the significance of strong collaborative efforts of stakeholders in combating human trafficking in Nigeria. The DG urged the stakeholders to constantly identify with NAPTIP through human trafficking sensitive programmes / activities in line with the purview of institution(s).

  • Paper Presentations / Technical Session

The preview of the Zero Draft of the Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Service Providers was presented by NAPTIP  D/RPD; Mr. Godwin Morka. Based on the preview of the Zero Draft seven different groups were formed to review the document, Identification / Reception; Sheltering; Counselling; Legal Services, Genral and Mental Health; Skill Acquisition and Empowerment; and Family Tracing / Family Reunification/ Follow-up. The federal Ministry of Women Affairs worked under Group 2: Sheltering. The document was reviewed accordingly by different groups and presented to plenary for final review. Finally, the document was validated and adopted as the Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Services Providers Providing Direct Assistances to Victims of Trafficking and Migrants Exposed to Violence.

  • Outcome

The outcome of the workshop includes;

  • Production of Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Services Providers Providing Direct Assistances to Victims of Trafficking and Migrants Exposed to Violence.
  • The document becomes National document, but not NAPTIP when approved
  • The significance of Service providers and Stakeholders providing services and assistance to Trafficked Persons to work in compliance with the document when approved.
  • Closure

  NAPTIP expressed profound gratitude for the immense contributions of the Stakeholders. While commending her Partners; A-TIPSOM and FIAAP for the  funding support to NAPTIP, stressed that the Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Services Providers Providing Direct Assistances to Victims of Trafficking and

Migrants Exposed to Violence document when approved will be a national document expected to be used by all Service Providers. The Workshop wrapped up at about 4.30 pm.

  • Suggestion / Next Step

Sequel to the outcome of the Workshop, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs at the peak of the affairs of the Nigerian women and girls and bearing in mind that many women and girls are trafficked more than men and boys may consider the followings;

  • Strengthening collaboration with NAPTIP in order to constantly connect and identify with trafficked women and girls.
  • Empowerment of Trafficked Persons (TPs) through the provision of food items and gender sensitive material assistance to Trafficked Persons(TPs) in NAPTIP Shelter.