By Wendy Mkandawire
Eye of the Child has called for vigilance among Malawians on internet platforms amid a rise in trafficking scams driven by high unemployment, as Malawi joins the globe today to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
In an interview, Eye of the Child’s Marketing and Communications Officer, Asiyatu James, underscored that this year, the organization has focused on sensitizing people and raising awareness about human trafficking crimes and forms of exploitation that affect people’s rights, human dignity, and their fututure
James flagged that traffickers have flooded social media platforms, duping people and advancing trafficking deals by luring victims with fake job opportunities, promises of education, and high salaries, pushing people into forced labor and other forms of abuse.
She added that children and women are the most vulnerable due to escalating poverty and a lack of information about human trafficking.
She said that currently, Eye of the Child has scaled up awareness and sensitization campaigns in communities to flag potential trafficking of humans through digital platforms.
According to her, the awareness has included teaching communities ways to identify traffickers early, working with the police and village chiefs, and urging people to be more careful online.
Eye of the Child has joined the government, civil society organizations, communities, and development partners in the fight against trafficking, emphasizing that the practice violates human rights and undermines national stability.
