Zanzibar - 23 July 2020,

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – the UN Migration Agency – in collaboration with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons’ Secretariat conducted an Interactive Dialogue with frontline stakeholders on Anti-Trafficking in Zanzibar.

The interactive dialogue gathered Government institutions comprising: Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Civil Society Organizations and Members of International Community to discuss about the implementation of Anti-Trafficking in Persons activities in Zanzibar with aim of improving its prevention and strengthening protection and other response services to victims of trafficking (VoT’s).

The dialogue has given an insight to the challenges that the Secretariat and other stakeholders are facing while implementing Anti-Trafficking in Persons activities during the period 2019/2020.

It has additionally renewed the shared responsibilities among partners in ensuring that every stakeholder plays its role in the joint efforts of eradicating Trafficking in Persons (TiP).

By the end of the interactive dialogue, stakeholders came up with a Statement of Action to be presented in the National Dialogue in Dar es Salaam on 27 July 2020 and to the High Level Meeting set to take place in Dodoma at the climax of the Commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July 2020.

The interactive dialogue embraces this year’s national theme: “Committed to the Cause - Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”.

This year’s (2020) theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons focuses on the first responders to human trafficking that include people working in different sectors and identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking and challenging the impunity of the traffickers.

IOM Tanzania promotes prevention and response to human trafficking in line with:

1. . Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2008
2.   National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Action Plan (2018 – 2021) and
3.   National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA VAWC) 2017-2022.

“The Minister of Labor, Empowerment, Elders, Women and Children of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Hon. Ms. Dr Maudeline CASTICO who was the guest of honor in the event commended the efforts of Anti Trafficking Secretariat and IOM for organizing this Interactive Dialogue as part of the events to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons this year”. The interactive dialogue will provide useful insights in planning and building a network to combat this heinous crime of Trafficking in Persons (TiP), she added.

“Joint efforts are necessary in curbing this basic human right violation”, said Dr Qasim Sufi, IOM Chief of Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania.

IOM actively participates in the UN Joint Programmes under the pillar “Ending Violence Against Women and Children”, in Kigoma and Zanzibar. This falls under the framework of the United Nations (UN) Development Assistance Plan Two (UNDAP II) covering the period 2017-2021.

IOM project activities include: provision of direct and specialized assistance to victims of trafficking (VoT) through shelter assistance, capacity building of frontline workers, community dialogue and awareness raising activities in the United Republic of Tanzania.

IOM works with both Government and partners to boost the efforts on child protection, protection for victims of trafficking and survivors of violence, and systems aimed at upholding the rights of workers.

For more information please contact:      Halima Sonda at hsonda@iom.int or Tel: +255 699 699 and

           Sarah Abdalla at sabdalla@iom.int or Tel: +255 625 998 823