Lilongwe, Malawi 16 April 2019: UNODC donated laptops to the Ministry of Homeland Security in Malawi for management of data on trafficking in persons.
UNODC and the SADC Secretariat have developed a data collection and management system to gather information related to trafficking in persons for the SADC region, which was rolled out in Malawi in May 2017. The system consists of national data hubs housed at the Ministry of Homeland Secretariat and linked to Ministry of Gender, Disability, Children and Social welfare services, the Malawi Police Services and the SADC Secretariat.
SADC member states have adopted general indicators used for trafficking in persons' data collection in order to facilitate information sharing and cooperation within the region.
In Malawi, human trafficking data collection is based on cases reported, investigated and prosecuted, as well as victim welfare and support rendered.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Government of Malawi, the Principal Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Madula, said that "the fight against trafficking in persons cannot be meaningful if data to give statistics on the crime is not properly and objectively managed." He added that well-managed statistics are imperative for it helps to inform future strategies, objectives and decisions on the subject matter.
"Data that is well managed can thus help to tell the trend of the vice in Malawi including helping to ascertain if strides are being made in the fight against it", he stated. The laptops will help the users to objectively manage the trafficking data in a very professional manner for it to be relevant and meaningful.
He concluded by saying that the fight against trafficking in persons is an enormous one that cannot be achieved by a government alone. He therefore thanked UNODC for being a trusted partner in this fight. The Government of Malawi appreciates the good working relationship that exists with UNODC.
Further to this ceremony, UNODC will train criminal justice practitioners from Malawi to collect data and report statistics on trafficking in persons.
UNODC carries out anti-trafficking work in Malawi under the project " Strengthening the implementation of a comprehensive response to trafficking in persons in Malawi", in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and with the financial support of the United Kingdom. Implemented as part of the UNODC Global Programme against Trafficking in Persons, jointly with UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa, this project contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.