Blantyre, 20-27 July 2019 - UNODC organized a workshop for more than 30 law enforcement officers, protection officers and other service providers on the application of the ¨Trafficking in Person Act: Regulations and Standards Operating Procedures and National Referral Mechanism¨ with the aim to provide a better understanding of trafficking in persons and international legal framework, as well as the national legal framework on trafficking in persons, and to link participants to resources and materials on to better fight the crime.
Mrs. Sekani Tembo, the Deputy Commissioner of Police from the Ministry of Homeland Security, opened the event and in her opening speech said that the government was committed to end human trafficking, as reflected in the adoption of national legal framework and incorporation of internationally accepted standards addressing the crime of human trafficking. She also mentioned that the implementation of the Act and the National Plan of Action against trafficking in persons were "a government priority in creating a Malawi free from trafficking in persons".
The training was well received by all participants, and it contributed to strengthen the capacity of frontline officers who are in contact with trafficking victims, so they can address protection and assistance needs better.
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.