MALAWI ENHANCED NATIONAL DATA COLLECTION NETWORK ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
The data collection and management system on trafficking in persons developed by UNODC and the SADC Secretariat, rolled out in Malawi in May 2017, has been made available to all law enforcement agencies under the Trafficking in Persons Act.
UNODC held a three days data collection training for Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act law enforcement agencies on 3-6 June 2019 in Lilongwe. The training built the capacity of the focal point officers appointed by the National Coordination Committee against trafficking to collect TIP data. Enforcement Officers designated by the Minister of Homeland Security will work jointly with Protection Officers and other focal point officers in ensuring that trafficking in persons in Malawi is addressed, victims are protected, and perpetrators brought to justice.
At the opening ceremony, the Chief Director in the Ministry of Homeland Security Mr. Nkhoma noted that the fight against TIP cannot be effective if data is not properly and objectively managed: "Well managed data / statistics is very imperative for it helps to inform future policies, strategies, objectives and decisions on the subject matter". "We believe that the Training will help the enforcement officers to objectively manage the TIP data in a very professional manner for it to be relevant and meaningful.".
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.