INFLUENCE OF COLLABORATION IN COORDINATION MECHANISMS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELLBEING OF WOMEN INVOLVED IN ANTI-TRAFFICKING INITIATIVES, DELTA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Strategic collaboration among stakeholders was significant, demonstrating improved socio-economic wellbeing of women. The study investigated the role of strategic collaboration and socio-economic wellbeing of women in anti-trafficking initiatives in Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives examined the influence of strategic collaboration in partnership and networking, evaluated resource sharing, investigated join decision-making and explored coordination mechanisms. A mixed-methods approach was used, where quantitative data was gathered through descriptive research design, while qualitative perceptions were collected through explanatory research design. As the study targeted five hundred adults with majority being women, by utilizing stratified random and purposive sampling to determine the sample size of 103 participants. Questionnaires, interview guides and FGD were employed to collect data for the sample. The theoretical framework that guided the study are capability theory, push and pull theory. Which provided insights on inequalities impacting societal dynamics on access to quality education, healthcare services, employment, income, family support, and basic social services affecting socio-economic wellbeing of women in anti-trafficking initiatives. Quantitative data was analyzed using Scientific Package for Social Science (SPSS). The influence of collaboration accounted for 94.4% of the variation in socio-economic wellbeing of women that were noticed, with 5.6% remaining with other actions not factored in by the model. Report of the model summary showed evident to a strong and generally positive correlation existing between the found parameters and improved socio-economic wellbeing of women in anti-trafficking initiatives. A remarkable F-value at 1632.573, which indicated statistical significance, is evident in the analysis. The government of Nigeria and institutions of learning from basic to territory are recommended to promote the inclusion of human trafficking studies in the academic curriculum as a strategy for widespread awareness creation and informed education-based on best practices Recommendations are that faith-based organization, NGOs, civil society groups, local communities and government bodies promote strategic collaboration for anti-trafficking preventive strategies and all trafficked persons within the vulnerable communities have access to basic services including access to quality education, affordable healthcare services, skills on appropriate use of technology, capacity building training and equipped vocational facilities that meet both local and international standard with possibility of curbing human trafficking.