adminDr David Okello : Correspondent
From the outset, I would like to commend the Government and people of Zimbabwe for their commitment to address the challenge of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. The UN International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation.While it is not known how many of these victims were trafficked, the estimate implies that currently, there are millions of trafficking in person victims in the world.
To address this scourge, in 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, urging governments worldwide to take coordinated and consistent measures to defeat this scourge.
The Plan calls for integrating the fight against human trafficking into the UN’s broader programmes in order to boost development and strengthen security worldwide.
Let me point out that here in Zimbabwe, this year, the World Day against Trafficking in Persons assumes an ominous relevance in light of the ongoing reports of trafficking of Zimbabwean women to Kuwait.
On too many occasions, Zimbabwean nationals, particularly women and girls, have fallen prey to human trafficking.
Case in point, we have witnessed the recent fiasco were unsuspecting, innocent and hard working Zimbabwean women and girls were ensnared by a too-good-to-be-true dream jobs into human trafficking in Kuwait.
In response to the global call and the to address the challenges, Zimbabwe has put in place an Act to curb and prevent trafficking in persons and I am delighted to have been part of the august gathering that was responsible for the launch of the national action plan for the implementation of the act.
Human trafficking is a parasitic crime which feeds on vulnerability, thrives in times of uncertainty, and profits from inaction.
Human traffickers and migrant smugglers are taking advantage of misery to turn a profit.
Criminals prey on people in need and without support, and they see migrants, especially children, as easy targets for exploitation, violence and abuse.
We clearly need to do more to stop human traffickers as part of coordinated and comprehensive responses to continuing migration challenges we are facing around the world and in Zimbabwe.
Through the national action plan that we are launching, we can reinforce protection for vulnerable children, women and men, and help promote the safety and dignity of migrants at all stages of their journey.
On June 30, 2016, the United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the UN Secretary General Mr Ban Ki-moon said and I quote, “Every country must join together to overcome this transnational threat by supporting and protecting victims while pursuing and prosecuting the criminals.
“On the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let us resolve to act as one in the name of justice and dignity for all.”
The United Nations family remains committed to support the implementation of the National Action Plan as it has done so during the preparation process.
Dr David Okello is the Acting UN Resident Coordinator and WHO Representative.
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