Beware of human traffickers ‘(Mabhinya)’

January is the Worldwide Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

According to the United Nations human trafficking is an illicit business with 55 percent of victims being women and 26 percent being children.

How many times have we heard of children missing or reports of children’s bodies being found burnt or maimed after the traffickers cut their private parts, which we have heard is used for juju purposes.

It is really sad.

Most of the times we hear stories that these mabhinya or traffickers hide in the bushes and pounce on the children. Sometimes they lure them into abduction.

Studies say child trafficking can occur when children are abducted from the streets, sold into sexual slavery and forced marriage by relatives, or in any place where traffickers, pimps and recruiters prey upon a child's vulnerabilities.

Around the globe, every year thousands of children are taken from their homes and sold into sexual slavery and few ever make it back to their families. The reason is simple - money. Human trafficking is a lucrative business.

Trafficking of children has been documented in every region of the world.

The most reliable figure regarding the prevalence of this practice is provided by the International Labour Organization, which estimates that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year; for various reasons such as forced labour, domestic work, for begging, and most of all for sexual exploitation especially girls.

Reports say, the greatest factor in promoting child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation is the demand for younger and younger victims worldwide. This demand comes from the mostly male buyers who become the customers in the growing global sex industry.

Some of the children are forced into prostitution on the streets, in brothels, in strip clubs, private homes, and hotels

Children are often trafficked, employed and exploited because, compared to adults, they are more vulnerable, cheaper to hire and are less likely to demand higher wages or better working conditions. Some employers falsely argue that children are particularly suited to certain types of work because of their small size and "nimble fingers", sources say.

UNICEF has found that children who are forced to beg by third parties are often removed from their families, surrender the majority of their income to their exploiter, endure unsafe work and living conditions, and are at times maimed to increase profits.

Sources say, child trafficking has the most significant impact on trafficked children and their families as it can result in the death or permanent injury of the trafficked child.

Zimbabwe is no exception. Families have lost and are losing their children to traffickers.

So far, the country has an operational anti trafficking law trafficking of persons Act (Chapter 9:25) enacted in 2014.

Policy has also been adapted to ensure the safety of all persons under the age of sixteen with the Children's Protection and Adoption Act, however, the government admits that a lack of resources and capital play a critical role in inadequate enforcement.

Government also launched the National Plan of Action on Human Trafficking (NAPLAC) to consolidate its fight against this scourge, following reports that hundreds of Zimbabweans were being trafficked.

This is a two year plan running from 2016 until next year.

While we applaud government efforts in fighting this social ill, let us also take the fight to our communities and families.

Let’s be dedicated to helping prevent child abductions and kidnapping through education and public awareness campaigns. Give children information such as ‘Do not entertain strangers’ or do not go anywhere with strangers.’

As a parent or guardian do not let the children loose and idle, increasing their vulnerability to these criminals.

Know where your child is, all the time. Let us watch over our children and be alert as we try to curb this heinous disease against our children.

Let us also fight to rescue abducted children into a safe environment “where they and their families can heal, recover, and develop hopeful, dignified, and influential lives.”

I know you love your kids, as I do mine, do what is best for them. Contact me with questions, feedback, stories and contributions.

Some parents have requested information on the new curriculum and its impact to our children, lets share our views on this topic and others.

My Watsapp number is 0779 304 056 or you can email on rebeccamunetsi@gmail.com

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