Combating human trafficking requires collective effort-Anti-Human Trafficking…

The Department of Anti-Human trafficking under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security has emphasised on the need for prioritised collaborative efforts among stakeholders in combating human trafficking. Chief Anti-human Trafficking Officer Agness Muluchi, says combating the vice requires a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach that draws upon the strengths of various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Faith Based Organisations (FBOs). Speaking when she opened a 5-day training with CSOs and FBOs on human trafficking held at Mabo Greens Lodge in Chinsali, Ms Muluchi stated that human trafficking remained one of the most serious violations of human rights and dignity, stressing that the involvement of every stakeholder in the fight was of high significance.

“It is for this reason that our department has collaborated with Save the Children with the aim of strengthening partnerships and enhancing the technical capacity of participating organisations to effectively respond to human trafficking,” she said. Ms Muluchi added that the engagement will equip participants with practical knowledge on human trafficking, identifying victims, understanding legal frameworks, cases and shelter management. And Chief Immigration Officer under the Muchinga Regional Office Chansa Lungu, noted that the levels of human trafficking in the region have recently been on the rise.

Ms Lungu stated that with the province bordering Tanzania and Malawi, the department has been recording worrying statistics of human trafficking using the Great North Road as a transit route. She however, charged that efforts to intercept such vices within the region have been strengthened under the Immigration department. Ms Lungu added that the partnerships with CSOs and FBOs will help in reducing the vice after the capacity building and sensitisation programmes.

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“This training is important because you are going to know the types of human trafficking that are there from within our communities,” she said. The Chief Immigration Officer further urged the participants to come up with workable strategies that will enhance the fight against human trafficking as supplementary efforts to Government.

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