Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in the district, Executive Director for Global Hope Mobilisation (GLOHOMO), Kaleb Thole said ending human trafficking needs concerted efforts from every citizen as it has an unimaginable syndicate.
Thole said the interface was hence organized to inform duty bearers about the evils of the vice considering the different forms that human trafficking comes in which local communities cannot easily identify.
For instance, he said people have been trafficked through interracial marriages, being lured into job opportunities as well as provision of school scholarships.
He said, "The vice involves people with top financial muscle, powerful positions, authority and mostly have top connections to almost every sector. It is, therefore, our wish to bring these forms of human trafficking to your attention so that if we do not get deceived once approached."
Thole further said with the effort he hopes to see more than 41 human trafficking related cases they managed to prosecute through courts last year increasing.
Labour Officer for Nkhata Bay District Lanwell Mkisi said the inhumane practice is escalating in the district due to high levels of unemployment among the youth who fall into the trap, mainly through interracial marriages and international jobs.
"Looking at the level where the district is, intensive sensitisation campaigns can be ideal to curb human trafficking. However, the council needs support from other partners as it has limited capabilities to go on its own," he said.
Mkisi appealed to the general public to help with resources for such activities.
Nkhata Bay District Commissioner Rogers Newa said the initiative is a welcome development considering that the district is both a source and a transit for human trafficking.
Newa applauded GLOHOMO for considering bringing the project to the district and promised to provide technical support where needed.
Global Hope Mobilisation is a nongovernmental organization that works to end human trafficking and is implementing a Tigwirane Manja (Let's Hold Hands) Counter Trafficking Activity project in nine districts.
The organization engaged stakeholders such as faith leaders, council officials, social workers and community leaders to be champions of change in ending human trafficking.
GLOHOMO has a toll-free number 3079 where people are encouraged to report suspected cases of human trafficking if they cannot reach the nearest police station.
