Joy Ezeilo

“In the end, it would take political and economic will, respect for human rights and human dignity, equal safer and better world where everyone's right to survival and development is guaranteed, de jure and de facto. We can all contribute in making that happen.”

“It is often difficult economic circumstances that make people consider the option of migration and it is also poverty with other intertwining factors that makes them vulnerable to becoming easy targets for traffickers.”

“As Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, I have been advocating that the implementation of anti-trafficking responses be based on 5Ps (protection, prosecution, punishment, prevention, promoting international cooperation and partnership), 3Rs (redress, recovery and reintegration) and 3Cs (capacity, cooperation and coordination), guided by international human rights law and standards.”

“Despite all these and the entrenchment of human rights in the constitution, Nigeria leads when it comes to denying women of equality, justice and opportunities.”

“The instruments also include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and a host of others.”

“These instruments are from bodies such as Convention on Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Convention on Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).”

“The principle of equality and non-discrimination which Nigeria recognises and claims to uphold are a combination of both international and regional human rights instruments.”

“Nigeria is part of UDHR of 1948 which states that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights regardless of gender, national or social origin and property.”

“I think it is a very big thing which should be captured in our media reports because it has not been reported in any media platform.”

“UNN, said “in fact, the way they did it, I didn’t even know that I won. I was just invited and was announced the winner at the event.”

“The award is convened in partnership with the British High Commission, the European Union, delegation and the Embassies of France, Germany, and the United States of America.”

“In recognition of your efforts in advancing this mandate, the Steering Committee of the awards gala have selected you as a finalist in the category for Civil Society.”

“human trafficking is adding shame to humanity.”

“Feminism is misconceived. It is about placing equal value on both gender; if you have a girl child, you value the girl child as you value your boy child. You don’t bring in the preference ideology. You give equal opportunities educationally and otherwise; you don’t say you go and cook because she is a girl; you train them equally as humans with equal right.”