UN FORMS MEDIA ASSOCIATION TO SUPPORT MALAWI’S FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

The United Nations, through its office on drugs and crime, has set up a new media association to promote efforts against trafficking in persons in Malawi.

The six member body, which is under the banner Media Association against Trafficking in Persons in Malawi, has representation from across the media spectrum.

Timveni Child and Youth Media Organization’s Memory Chisenga is the chairperson of the newly formed association and will be deputized by Frank Kandu from the state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

                              Memory Chisenga: chairperson of the newly formed association

MIJ FM’s Cathy Maulidi has been appointed as Secretary while Tione Andisen from Malawi News Agency has been entrusted with the association’s purse.

Rebecca Chimjeka of Times Group and Mibawa TV’s Abenah Chidzanja complete the list as committee members.

In his remarks, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Malawi National Programs Officer Maxwell Matewere says the association has been formed to complete government efforts.

“[This body serves]as a key strategy in supporting Malawi government implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 on eradication of forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and end child labour,” said Matewere.

The association’s secretary Cathy Maulidi has stressed the body will among others ensure that child trafficking and child labour are given the spotlight in a quest to help authorities route out the vice.

 She has also promised the association will strengthen coordination between the media, government and other stakeholders involved in the fight against trafficking in persons.

She said:”We have noted most journalists provide little or no coverage on child labor and child trafficking issues. We will strive so that these areas get in-depth reporting similar to the levels politics commands on the local media landscape.”

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been working with the government of Malawi in a variety of counter-trafficking initiatives, providing support from the regional office in Pretoria to strengthen and implement national strategies, plans or policies against trafficking in persons.

UNODC also assists Malawi to bring national legal frameworks in line with international standards; and assist Malawi to strengthen its criminal justice response to trafficking in persons, including regional cooperation in criminal matters related to trafficking in persons following a victim centred-approach and also assist Malawi to strengthen victim protection and assistance.