Zambia: UNODC supports data collection efforts to fight against human trafficking
UNODC, in partnership with Zambia's National Secretariat on Human Trafficking, convened an on-site three-day data training workshop for 25 frontline officers who are involved in data collection and management related to trafficking in persons in Livingstone on 6-8 May 2019. The meeting was officially opened by the head of the District Administration Office, Ms. Helen Mwanza.
UNODC and the SADC Secretariat have developed a data collection and management system for the SADC region. The system has now been rolled out in Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The training workshop was essential to enhance frontline officers' understanding, knowledge and skills to use this system effectively.
The participants came from Western and Southern provinces of Zambia, including the three border towns of Kazungula, Livingstone and Sesheke. The workshop participants comprised 16 women and 9 men from the Judiciary, National Prosecution Authority, Zambia Police, Department of Immigration, Drug Enforcement Commission, Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare, office of the president and legal aid.
The participants called for intensified awareness raising on trafficking in persons (, especially in rural towns of the country where vulnerability to this crime is high. The participants further called for strengthening of human trafficking surveillance, data capturing and information sharing among frontline officers.
The evaluation of this workshop showed a clear increase in the understanding and knowledge of the participants. During the workshop closing, participants expressed their commitment to strengthen their coordination efforts as frontline officers, including forging new partnerships with community partners to better respond to TIP and to protect victims of trafficking.
UNODC held this training under the project " Strengthening the implementation of a comprehensive response to trafficking in persons in Zambia", in collaboration with the Government of Zambia 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.