Plan rescues girls from trafficking in Niger

Justice is often hard to come by in Niger, where few have access to lawyers and official courts. But a lawsuit against 2 child traffickers, supported by Plan, has brought justice to 5 Nigerien girls.

Economic and sexual exploitation

The girls, around 15 years old at the time, had been subjected to economic and sexual exploitation by one of Niger’s Dandali’n Soyeyya or “Love Songs” troupes. These troupes provide actresses for music videos in films from neighboring Nigeria that are seen by many in Niger. On the surface, it would seem a golden opportunity for young Nigerien girls.

In reality, the troupes inflict economic and often sexual exploitation on the girls, taking them to Nigeria to make the films.

“After each performance,” says one of the girls, “[the troupe’s bosses] would pocket the fees, and wouldn’t even give us anything to eat. They told us to fend for ourselves.” In Niger, girls that have to support themselves often have no choice other than prostitution.

Plan's support

Fortunately, before this troupe could be trafficked to Nigeria, they were spotted by officials from Niger’s branch of CONAFE, the coalition of African NGOs working with children. They informed the authorities, who acted quickly to arrest the troupe’s bosses.

Plan hired a lawyer for the girls in Niger. He based his case not only on Nigerien law, but also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the Government of Niger in 1990. A guilty verdict was given on June 29th, and the 2 bosses each received a 6 month suspended sentence and a 50,000CFA ($100 US) fine.

This time the penalty was lenient; the girls were lucky to be freed from exploitation. But many others fall victim to child traffickers such as the Dandali’n Soyeyya bosses. These troupes are well known in Nigeria, where the films are made, for exploiting girls from Niger and fuelling prostitution.

Improving child protection

But in Niger, many are ignorant of the reality of this exploitation, and the bosses can trick girls into joining, playing off the allure of richer Nigeria and the popularity of the films.

Plan has therefore begun efforts at lobbying Niger’s government to improve legal protection, and the legal system, for children, and helped write the Children’s Code for Niger.

In the early 2000’s, Plan invested in and strengthened the capacity of CONAFE, allowing it to develop into the international organization it is today. After the trial, CONAFE provided the girls with support for their reintegration into society, from vocational training to re-entry into school.