ZIMBABWE is partnering the United States government in fighting human trafficking, which has become a topical issue after it emerged that over 200 local women were trafficked to Kuwait where they became sex slaves.
Source: Zim partner USA in fighting human trafficking – NewsDay Zimbabwe August 3, 2016
BY MUNESU NYAKUDYA
The US embassy in Harare last week joined the government in launching the Trafficking in Persons National Plan of Action (Naplac), which was aimed at fighting the crime.
US embassy second secretary Richard Wesch, who was representing ambassador Harry Thomas Jnr, said human trafficking was a global challenge which required collective efforts.
Wesch hailed Zimbabwe for its efforts in fighting human trafficking by setting up an inter-ministerial committee to establish Naplac.
“As you are undoubtedly aware, human trafficking is a $150 billion illicit industry that touches on millions of lives across the world in every country of the world, including the USA and Zimbabwe. We look forward to working with the Government of Zimbabwe to address together our common enemy: trafficking in persons,” he said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Prisca Mupfumira said government had taken it upon itself to restore the dignity of women who were victims of trafficking to Kuwait.
She said the government would simultaneously try to economically empower the women.
“Most of the victims who have fallen prey to the human traffickers, particularly the last group which comprised of 13 girls that came in last week, even went to an extent of saying they were going to support President Robert Mugabe in the upcoming 2018 elections,” Mupfumira claimed.
Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said more women were still stranded in Kuwait.
“To date, a significant number of victims have been assisted to return to Zimbabwe. We also have reports that there are still more who need to be assisted, and the government is working on different modalities to facilitate the safe return of our citizens,” he said.
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