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How much is the Schoolgirl in the Window?

Written by: Graig-Lee Smith, Mellon Radebe, Nadine Speelman

Human trafficking is an inhuman and degrading crime that leaves many of its victims emotionally and physically scarred. Most of the targets have been abducted and held against their will by someone they know. Human trafficking generates almost 32 billion U.S. dollars in profits annually from almost thirty million victims, 27% of whom are children and 49% women.

Slavery exists in many forms. Girls are used as sex objects, either for pornographic material or prostitution, while many find themselves forced into arranged marriages. Some are not considered ‘perfect enough’ (in the sense of not being virgins) and are subsequently used for organ trafficking. In other cases, they are used as domestic workers.

Victims are usually taken from poor villages with high unemployment or a lack of infrastructure. Targets unwillingly fall into the trafficker's hands when answering an offer for financial support. Women and children are usually taken to countries such as Russia, Italy, various states in the Middle East and more in North Africa - where many are forced into prostitution.

Human trafficking is a widespread epidemic in Nigeria. Nearly a month ago, Boko Haram, now considered the most dangerous terrorist group in the world, abducted almost 300 schoolgirls while they were writing exams. In prior cases, girls kidnapped from Nigeria have been held captive in Libya and Morocco, where many partake in the commercial sex trade.

Loosely meaning ‘Western education is sin’, ‘Boko Haram’ refers to a radical extremist group that was formed in the city of Maiduguri, Nigeria by the late Mohammed Yusuf. The group was founded in 2002 and its goal is to ensure that Nigeria becomes an Islamic state. The name that the group acknowledges is ‘Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad’, which translates as The Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism.

They are against anything that promotes Western culture, believing that Western culture causes Muslims to deviate from the core teachings in Islam. Females are thought of as being the most ‘mislead’. The irony is that most Muslims have distanced themselves from the group, claiming that the group’s idea of Islam is completely false.

Boko Haram built their own mosque and school to ensure that their version of Islam would be practiced. Poor families living near the school couldn’t afford to send their children to other schools so they chose to send their children to this institution. This enabled Boko Haram to influence these students.

At the time of his death, Yusuf was a 39-year-old who had four wives and twelve children. He wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth but he surely died a rich man. During interrogations, he confessed to having fancy cars and top-grade cell phones. There are many loose ends to Yusuf’s death. The group wasn’t as violent during his leadership. However, in 2009 the group launched attacks on police stations. The Nigerian Security Forces then sought to diminish the group’s influence and successfully captured Yusuf. It’s alleged that he tried to escape from prison and the police shot him.

He was succeeded by Abubakar Shekau. Shekau, whose age and place of birth remain unknown, served as the Yusuf’s deputy, authorities believed he died along with Yusuf in 2009. However, Shekau revealed in a video that he was still alive and that is now Boko Haram’s leader. Since then, the group has resorted to more violent crimes than before. In June 2012, the United States State Department declared Shekau a ‘terrorist’.

Boko Haram is known for bombings and abductions. Since their formation, they have bombed churches, mosques, police stations and schools. They have also abducted tourists. Boko Haram placed the Nigerian government in a tight situation with their demands for fellow comrades to be released from prison. The group has threatened to sell the girls taken from school on the market if their demands are not met.

Nigeria’s neighbouring countries (Cameroon, Benin, Niger and Chad) have all agreed to co-operate with the Nigerian military in combating Boko Haram and locating the missing girls.

Nigeria was mum for weeks and advised the world that they had it ‘under control’. What they should have done is explored all their options and used all their security agencies, police services and every other possible resource out there to find these missing girls.

The media have done a good job in creating awareness but it should go one step further. If we look at the Malaysian flight that went missing, we see that almost everyone jumped in to assist. Millions were spent on rescue efforts, hours were dedicated in airtime. In the past week alone, we can see how often local and international media reported on the Boko Haram issue. The media has also used celebrities and social media to raise awareness… but it all seems too late.

Boko Haram is being portrayed as the ‘winners’ by some. Apart from wanting to free their members from prisons, they want to send a message to the world that they are a force to be reckoned with and feared.

The African Union (AU) has declared war on Boko Haram - but what exactly does this mean? The one body that should be of assistance ought to do more than just talk. What has happened now with reports and headlines saying that Boko Haram and its members should be brought to account and that countries shouldn’t negotiate with terrorists? What the AU should do is join hands with other agencies that have offered their assistance from across the globe and work together to bring back the girls.  

This incident has brought international attention to an ongoing problem and perhaps this will generate the political will to finally end the scourge of human trafficking.

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