Though non-governmental organizations collaborating with government are working tirelessly to end human trafficking the task continues to seem daunting.
Currently over 50 girls and women are trafficked upon being deceived of lucrative opportunities to work abroad.
Some of the victims have told MIJ Online they fell into the trap of tricksters masquerading as agents upon deceiving them of jobs as shop keepers in Dubai.
They say upon agreeing with the agents travel documents like: passports, visa and air tickets were processed to facilitate their travel to Dubai.
For their surprise … the victims wondered to see how processes were speedily done that made them suspect that some top government officials were behind the deal.
On arrival at Kamuzu International Airport the victims smelt a rat as they noticed their visas indicated they were destined to Oman opposed to their initial plan of flying-out to Dubai.
However, whilst there the girls and women are reportedly being raped by multiple men.
But that isn’t the lone form of abuse for these women also claim of physical assault like being beaten-up, being forced to sleep in toilets and eating once a day.
Besides; they say they aren’t allowed access any medical help when they fall sick including from abnormal discharge from their private parts due to the forced sexual activities.
On their account of these victims have had their names changed.
Not surprising theirs’ is a plight to government to intervene in their plight and rescue them from the trouble.
On the other hand, Malawi Network against Human Trafficking said it’s also received reports of human trafficking from Malawi to various countries.
Thus Caleb Thole executive director for the network calls for collaboration with to deal with the vice.
On its part Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives feels its high authorities burst into this syndicate according to Sylvester Namiwa its executive director for the centre.
Meanwhile, another human rights activist, Memory Ngosi- Chisenga has echoed Namiwa asking government to fast-track the repatriation exercise of the victims to move them out of the danger they are into.
For her; there’s got be a way to end all this happening.
With this women rights campaigners are mobilizing themselves to sensitize women and girls across Malawi on ways securing job opportunities across the borders.
Jessie Kabwira said; the situation at hand provides a better lesson to implement measures that will assist in empowering women economically to have them protected from human traffickers.
However, as an intervention government has through the ministry of foreign affairs secured air tickets to fly back 50 of those trapped in Oman.
John Kabaghe – spokesperson for the ministry says government has taken steps towards rescuing the women.
However, he says they have challenges to repay penalties for breach of contract on the contracts they had entered into with their employers.
Nonetheless, he says talks are underway with the ministry of finance to provide funding for the ransom.
