EUCAP Sahel Niger involves women in the Agadez region in the fight against human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants

The workshop, supported by EUCAP Sahel Niger, aimed to equip women leaders of different communities in the Agadez region so they will be able to sensitize other women in their communities in the prevention of and fight against the crimes of migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

In Agadez, the EUCAP Sahel Niger mission organizes trainings on the fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants for the benefit of the Internal Security Forces (ISF). This workshop initiative was intended to help women leaders obtain a better understanding of the work done by the security forces.

The workshop was organized by the Association of Nigerien Women Against War (AFNCG - Tchimacrassene) and facilitated by the representative of the regional Agadez office of the National Agency in the Fight Against Human Trafficking (ANLTP) regional office in Agadez, deputizing for the prosecutor of Agadez. A second training is planned at Iferouāne in the month of April.

Women are worried their children will become victims
In fact, due to the fall of revenues in the region, linked to the disappearance of tourism and the closure of mining companies and gold panning sites, women in the Agadez region have been worried about the impact from irregular migration upon the stability of the area, and the increased risk of crimes associated with drug trafficking or weapons smuggling. They fear their children may become victims of trafficking or involved in associated crimes. It was in this context that the adoption of the law concerning the smuggling of migrants was put into place.