Activists welcome Trafficking in Persons Bill
Human rights activists on Wednesday described the passing of the Trafficking in Persons Bill as a landmark, saying it had been a struggle apprehending offenders with no law in place.
Speaking after the passing of the Bill, Eye of the Child executive director Maxwell Matewere said it has been a long battle with only 23 culprits apprehended out of the 145 cases recorded last year.
Said Matewere: “In fact, those caught were charged with child labour, the rest were caught trafficking children and much as the children were rescued, the culprits were never taken to book because there was no law to back up the arrests, but now we have a law carrying a maximum sentence of 21 years. We are extremely happy with this.”
Programme co-coordinator for prevention of trafficking in women and children at Norwegian Church Aid Habiba Osman said the Bill has also recognised that any person below the age of 18 is a child.
Said Osman: “Now we can work and protect the people of Malawi without fear.”
Members of Parliament (MPs) agreed to the Bill, saying it needed to be passed.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said the root cause of human trafficking is poverty, which needs to be addressed.
According to Kabwila, as the country struggles amid rapid globalisation, Malawians wanting to migrate are in hundreds and most of these are women and children.
Said Kabwila: “Recent studies indicate a shock high rate of child trafficking, where most victims come from the rural areas and are brought to the cities where they are promised jobs as domestic helpers only ending up being forced to work in brothels and bars. This Bill, therefore, has come at a right time and we support it fully.”
