Minister Calls for Collective Effort to Combat Human Trafficking in Malawi
Minister urges stakeholders to strengthen resilience and raise awareness to combat human trafficking in Malawi as World Day Against Trafficking approaches.
LILONGWE, MALAWI — Minister of Homeland Security Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma has appealed to various stakeholders to join forces in the fight against human trafficking syndicates in the country, ahead of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, writes Judgement Katika.
Speaking on Friday, Ng'oma emphasized that Malawi serves as a source, transit, and destination for individuals trafficked for forced labour and sexual exploitation.
He underscored the need to enhance resilience against exploitation and address underlying socio-economic and cultural issues conducive to human trafficking.
Ng'oma also stressed the importance of sensitising the public about the detrimental impact of human trafficking on the country's development.
"Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights; therefore, stringent measures must be put in place to deal with this vice," Ng'oma stated.
Furthermore, the Minister disclosed that progress has been made in repatriating Malawian women stuck in Oman, with 18 out of over 370 women already brought back to the country.
Discussions with the Omani government are ongoing to facilitate the return of the remaining women.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed on July 30th annually, aims to "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind."