SUMMARY
This research has focused on COSUDOW and Human trafficking in EDO STATE, A case study of committee for the support of the Dignity of women COSUDOW. The study has examined the problem of trafficking in persons in Edo state. The origin of human trafficking in Nigeria, its nature, causes which include the push and pull factors and the effects on the victim and the country at large were also analyzed. Also the modus operandi, trafficking routes, exploitation practices, activities and achievements of COSUDOW were also outlined. The research also highlights the various contributions or measures taken by COSUDOW to check this scourge. However, this chapter is based predominantly on the assessment of the challenges faced by COSUDOW. It is important to recognize that sexual exploitation and trafficking of human beings are all acts of violence against Women and as such constitute an offence to the dignity of women. The phenomenon is also a violation of basic human rights. The research showed that the victims of human trafficking are usually deceived with a juicy offer such as promise of decent and gainful employment in Europe when compared to the joblessness and abject poverty at home. The active intervention of COSUDOW in the war against human trafficking in Nigeria has greatly enhanced the prospects of winning the battle against the organized criminal networks that are perpetrating the act. COSUDOW is confronted with a number of challenges, notable among which are inadequate resources or funding, difficulty in handling the victims when returned from Europe, no vocational training or skill acquisition Centre within the shelter whereby the victims attend the vocational Centre outsides, maintenance of the shelter, insufficient enlightenment programme 58 materials, poor communication equipment, reintegration assistance for victims by well-meaning individuals and groups, office up-keep, stipend for the personnel working at COSUDOW, etc. Inadequate funding is the main challenge faced by COSUDOW. COSUDOW does not generate its fund rather the committee is supported by their collaborators in Italy and other parts of Europe. This hinders the effectiveness and the smooth running of COSUDOW. For instance the victims can only engage in the type of business she can do with the available fund. Sometimes, upon their completion of skill acquisition training the victim lacked fund to start off.1 Also when a victim is ill and taken to the hospital, COSUDOW was not always in possession of fund to offset hospital bills. Inadequate fund is also experienced in the maintenance of the shelter. Pocket money which the body is expected to provide for the victim is often not available. All these constitute challenges to the smooth management of the centre. Additionally, the committee experiences a lot of difficulties in handling the victims. Some of the victims insist on training instead of learning a skill, because they prefer quick money. The families of some victims squander the profit of the business established for the victims, thereby making the task of the committee more difficult. While some victims are unable to face the challenges of life after the reintegration program, thereby they keep returning to COSUDOW for financial support.
