By Mercy Matonga:
Malawi has been reported to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child over alleged failures by authorities to adequately protect girls from sex trafficking and ensure justice for victims.
Malawian non-governmental organisation People Serving Girls at Risk (PSGR), together with international women’s rights organisation Equality Now, submitted a joint complaint accusing the government of poor implementation of anti-trafficking laws.
According to reports by Equality Now in observance of International Women’s Day, the complaint originates from the case of Maggie (not her real name), who was 16 years old when she was allegedly lured from her rural village with promises of legitimate employment but was later trafficked into prostitution within Malawi.
“Her case demonstrates numerous failures of law enforcement and the judicial system. Following our research, it is clear that the justice system in Malawi is failing to fulfil its statutory and international law obligations, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child,” the report reads.
- Advertisement -
According to the organisations, Maggie’s legal case has been ongoing for more than four years but has faced repeated delays and mishandling by various state actors, including police, prosecutors and magistrates within the criminal justice system.
The organisations say the case remains stuck at the pre-trial stage, a situation the groups argue demonstrates systemic failures in Malawi’s response to victims of sex trafficking.
According to the groups, Malawi remains a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking.
Speaking on Malawi’s performance in addressing the trafficking and exploitation of girls, Global Lead for Equality Now’s End Sexual Exploitation Programme, Tsitsi Matekaire, said Malawi is not effectively enforcing anti-trafficking laws.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
“Malawi enacted its Trafficking in Persons Act 2015, but the government must do more to ensure that the law is effectively implemented.
“This requires putting in place policies and procedures to protect girls and women and providing swift access to justice for all who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation,” Matekaire said.
PSGR Executive Director Caleb Ng’ombo said that in addition to enacting the law, the government must raise awareness about sex trafficking.
“It is important for the government to increase funding and facilitate awareness within communities, law enforcement and the judiciary about sex trafficking,” Ng’ombo said.
