The Executive Director of the Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP), Dr. Mairo V. Bello, has called for stronger measures to protect children, adolescents and young people from human trafficking and all forms of exploitation.
In a statement issued on Thursday to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Bello described human trafficking as a grave violation of human rights that continues to rob millions of children and young people of their safety, dignity and future.
She said women, girls and vulnerable adolescents remain the most affected by trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude, child marriage, forced begging and other forms of abuse.
According to her, poverty, inequality, conflict, limited access to education and misinformation continue to increase the vulnerability of children and young people to trafficking.
Bello stressed that addressing the menace requires more than law enforcement, saying governments and stakeholders must invest in education, adolescent health, child protection, economic empowerment and sustained public awareness.
“Preventing human trafficking requires more than law enforcement. It demands sustained investment in education, adolescent health, child protection, economic empowerment and community awareness,” she said.
She urged governments at all levels to strengthen the implementation of anti-trafficking laws, ensure the prosecution of offenders and provide comprehensive support services for survivors.
The AHIP executive director also called on parents, caregivers, teachers, religious and traditional leaders, media organisations and civil society groups to intensify public education on the dangers of human trafficking, unsafe migration, online exploitation and deceptive recruitment tactics.
She reaffirmed AHIP’s commitment to promoting child protection, gender equality, youth empowerment and access to accurate information that enables young people to make informed decisions and live free from violence and exploitation.
Bello said the organisation would continue collaborating with government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, community leaders and the media to combat human trafficking, promote safe migration and protect vulnerable populations.
She disclosed that AHIP is implementing the Resilient Opportunities for Outreach, Trade and Sustainability (ROOTS) Project in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address the root causes of irregular migration.
According to her, the project focuses on community sensitisation, livelihood support, skills development and psychosocial assistance while helping returnees rebuild their lives, attain economic independence and reintegrate into their communities with dignity.
Bello called on governments, development partners, the private sector and communities to strengthen collaboration in tackling the root causes of trafficking and ensuring that survivors receive adequate protection, support and opportunities for successful reintegration into society.