EQUALITY NOW MOVE TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

By Jecina Chikwelete 

In a quest to end sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, an international organization, Equality Now, is engaging various stakeholders on the need for government to protect women and girls from the vices.

On 16th June 2022, Equality Now together with People Serving Girls at Risk (PSGR), submitted a joint complaint to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child against the government of Malawi for its failure to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation.

Speaking with Timveni, human rights advocate Yvonne Oyieke said the complaint centers on a 16 year-old girl in Neno (name withheld) who was lured away from her village with a false promise of legitimate work and trafficked into prostitution in the country.

According to Oyieke, the girl’s case has been ongoing for over 4 years and has been beset by a series of inordinate delays. 

Equality Now says Malawi has good laws that safeguard women and girls, but they are not fully enforced.

In his remarks, executive director for People Saving Girls at Risk, Caleb Ng'ombo, says a lot of girls face sex trafficking and nothing is being done to avert the situation.

Ng'ombo added that his organization is committed to end sexual exploitation and sex trafficking despite the many challenges in enforcement of the Trafficking in Persons Act.