Trafficking a major issue in Africa - UN

UN: Trafficking in humans, especially women and children, is a major problem for nearly every African country, according to a new report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Most trafficking occurs within Africa itself, but in one-third of the countries surveyed, the trafficking flows to Europe, while in 26 per cent it is directed towards the Middle East and Arab states, the study finds.

Trafficking within national borders of African countries is very common, occurring in eight out of every 10 African countries.

Nigeria is identified as the country of origin of women and children trafficked to 12 countries, but at the same time it is identified as the destination for women and children trafficked from 10 other African states.

Half of African countries see trafficking in human beings as a serious problem, according to the study compiled by the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre in Florence.

There are no reliable estimates of the number of people trafficked, but the number of countries reporting trafficking in children is twice the number reporting trafficking in women, the study finds.

"Trafficking is among the worst violations of child rights in the world," says Ms Maura Quinn, UNICEF Ireland executive director. "If we are to put an end to this brazen trade, we need courageous government leaders who will criminalise the trafficking of children in all its forms. Failure to do so is an abuse of children."

The report, which covers 53 countries, examines a number of causes for the phenomenon, which vary from country to country. Trafficking occurs when a child's protective environment collapses as a result of factors such as conflict, economic hardship and discrimination. Traditional practices and attitudes, early marriage and lack of birth registration further increase the vulnerability of children and women to exploitation.

Other factors include sexual and economic exploitation, including the demand for cheap domestic and agricultural labour. The demand for child soldiers, adoption-related demand, and trafficking in body parts also play a role and need further investigation, the report says.

While the report expresses concern about the incidence of trafficking on the continent, it says increasing local efforts to tackle the problem give cause for optimism.

President McAleese is to make the keynote speech on the issue of HIV/AIDS at the global meeting of UNICEF national committees in Dublin on Monday.