Human Trafficking On The Rise in Zim

By Elizabeth Nyaguyo

Women and girls have been urged to be very careful when dealing with organisations that purport to assist then in finding outside the Zimbabwe borders

Shamwari Yemwanasikana and Ladies in Action Zimbabwe said human trafficking of local women has been on the increase due to lack of information, poverty and desperate situation the women find themselves in

Recently the country records several incidents related to human trafficking especially among girls as they were lured and taken outside the country only for them to become slaves.

In an interview with Sly Media, Marjory Nhamoinesu the Girls Protection and Support Services Department coordinator at Shamwari Yemwanasikana urged young girls to be careful of strangers and even relatives and not to be very desperate when it comes to job seeking as cases of human trafficking among girls are at rise.

“I would like to say it is disheartening that young girls are taking such risks, they should be vigilant in seeking information about certain jobs and promises they will be receiving from different people in the communities and others they do not know,” she said.

‘’These traffickers are not strangers they are people we know, people that come in the same villages with us sometimes it will be difficult for these girls will believe in them.”

“Girls should not be desperate for greener pastures but grass is not always greener on the other side. You should be able to find information for yourself don’t panic feel free to ask.’’

The Director and co-founder of Ladies in Action Zimbabwe Tafadzwa Kanhema said that girls should not make quick decisions but they are supposed to look at all angles before accepting any offers from strangers or relatives.

‘’Before accepting an offer that might seems rosy or sneak into soft life make sure to check its genuineness,” he said.

‘’You can ask around just to make sure but if you notice any suspicious activity then brush it off because traffickers are not strangers but they might be our close friends or relatives.”

These Organizations urged everyone to be everyone sister’s keeper to prevent human trafficking.

The two organisations are working on different projects to empower young women and girls to sustain themselves financially.