Data, Resources Hindering Fight Against Human Trafficking in Malawi
Malawi's growing youth population has led to high unemployment and underemployment rates, increasing vulnerability to trafficking, particularly in the agriculture sector.
BLANTYRE, Malawi-- Lack of reliable data, limited resources, poverty and low education levels are major challenges in the fight against human trafficking in Malawi, according to discussions facilitated by Norwegian Church Aid/DanChurchAid (NCA/DCA) with religious leaders, writes Pemphero Musowa.
For a case to be certified as trafficking, it must be reported by Malawi Police. However, information doesn't flow from all 28 districts, leaving many cases uncertified.
The country lacks tangible data for the last five years, with available information described as "sketchy" at best.
According to U.S. Department of State statistics, Malawi reported investigating 46 trafficking cases in 2023, down from 81 in 2022.
It prosecuted 80 alleged traffickers in 46 cases and convicted 11, compared with prosecuting 46 and convicting 24 in 2022.
Stefan Janson, Country Director for NCA/DCA, said, "The issue itself is not easy to gather data on, so there will always be a certain form of guesstimates. But we need to have a comprehensive overview of how big the problem really is."
Dr. Rodrick Mulonya, Chairperson for Malawi Network Against Trafficking, added, "The statistics are enormous. There are issues where maybe 10 or 15 people are being trafficked in a day. Some of these issues we can't authenticate yet."
Discussions revealed that traffickers often have vast resources, with credible reports of official complicity hindering anti-trafficking efforts.
This contrasts with the government's Trafficking in Persons Fund, which contains K450 million.
The Rev. Francis Mkandawire, Secretary General for Evangelical Association of Malawi, highlighted poverty and low education levels as major contributors to trafficking.
He emphasized the critical role of religious leaders in raising awareness: "We live with the people. We are influencers as religious leaders. Whatever we say, most of the time they listen."
Malawi's growing youth population has led to high unemployment and underemployment rates, increasing vulnerability to trafficking, particularly in the agriculture sector.
The discussions also revealed that illiterate individuals are most vulnerable to trafficking, as unscrupulous businesses and cartels exploit their desperation for employment and lack of understanding of labor laws.