Government says there is need to civic educate Malawians on the anti-human trafficking bill which Parliament passed recently.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati said on Tuesday that human traffickers are taking an advantage of Malawians who are ignorant about the law that protect them from the practice.
“Civil society organisations in the country need to join my ministry in the fight against this evil practice which is also exploiting adults due to ultra-poverty levels in rural areas,” said Kaliati.
She said the passing of the anti-human trafficking bill into law gave the nation hope of an end or reduction of the problem.
Human trafficking has been reportedly rampant in the border districts of the country.
For instance, National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust, coordinator for Mloza zone in Mulanje, Fadwick Kaduya said most of the people trafficked in the district are males and females within the age range of 15 to 30 years old.
“Malawians continue assisting these traffickers to successfully traffic people. Bicycle operators are paid money between K20, 000 to K30, 000 if they successfully transport trafficked persons to their respective destinations,” Kaduya said.
Presenting the bill in Parliament, the then Minister of Home Affairs Paul Chibingu said the piece of legislation seeks to promote and protect lives of vulnerable persons who are the targets of human traffickers.
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