"Vidomegon" and the intricacy of child exploitation and trafficking in the republic of benin

Abstract

Trafficking in children and their economic exploitation is a fast-growing and highly lucrative trans-border criminal enterprise. The gross income from this criminal enterprise now rivals that from the international drug trade and illicit business of arms and ammunition. The illicit business moguls within criminal-organized groups engaged in the illicit business of child trafficking take advantage of the innocent, defenseless, and vulnerability of individuals from the lower and middle class. The child trafficking industry remains the most lucrative business and shares its semblance with a multinational corporation due to a subtle flow of money in the industry. The industry remains the most prominent in Africa, particularly in the West African subregion, due to political and economic impediments confronting some, if not all, countries in the subregion. The political and socio-economic crisis birthed human security challenges, which subjected their citizens to abject poverty. The socio-economic issues pave the way to increased unemployment, which exacerbates poverty and internal crises. These issues present serious implications for the lower- and middle-income classes. The socio-economic dilapidation resulting from poverty made the wretched parents see their children as alternatives or human capital assets to help alleviate the biting socio-economic hardship and mitigate the risk of being poor.