ART ACTIVISM AS A MEANS OF CURBING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT, USING DISCARDED PUBLIC POSTERS AS SUPPORT FOR PAINTING
Abstract
Over the years, trafficking in persons has assumed a global dimension as various concerned government and non-governmental agencies battle the crime using various media and techniques. In Nigeria, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) has been tackling the problem of human trafficking for decades. The approaches employed by various abolitionists groups appear insufficient since the rate of the crime appear to be on the increase, especially in Nigeria where stories of young Nigerians girls entangled in sex slavery has become prevalent. In view of this problem, this study addresses the issue of sex slavery and other core aspects of human trafficking which includes; forced labour, illegal adoption, child soldier, among many others. The paintings produced in the course of the research were designed to sensitize the public on the challenges associated with human trafficking and to serve as an avenue towards the amelioration of the problem. Consequently, waste management and poverty were also addressed by the use of discarded or waste public posters which deface major streets in Nigeria. When used for painting these waste receives a new lease of life thereby turning waste to wealth. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was sourced through primary sources,( mainly oral sources) and secondary sources ; written sources both published and unpublished. The study reveals that painting could be a veritable means of creating awareness among the people about the evils of human trafficking, thereby turning the public into advocates of change. The research has also proved that the use of discarded poster for painting could contribute to waste reduction in the society and serves as a means of turning waste to wealth. The study encourages more works on using art as an advocacy towards the fight against various aspects of human trafficking especially trading young girls into sex slavery.
