Dodoma - The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations (UN) Migration Agency joined the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the International Community to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (TiP) the 11th August 2020, at Nashera Hotel in Dodoma, the capital city of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The commemoration of the World Day Against TiP through the High Level meeting in Dodoma was preceded by:

1. Meeting with members of the Media on 22 July 2020 in Zanzibar and
2. National Dialogues on Trafficking in Persons (TiP) in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam on 23 and 6th August 2020 respectively.

Statements of Action from the National Dialogues on Trafficking in Persons (TiP) in Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam were presented to the Guest of Honour during the High-Level Meeting in Dodoma.=

The large Government delegation in the event included the:

1. Minister of Home Affairs (MoHA), Hon. Mr George Simbachawene;
2. Permanent Secretary, Mr Christopher Kadio;
3. Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr Ramadani Kailima;
4. Commissioner General of Immigration (CGI), Ms. Dr Anna Makakala;
5. Chairman of Anti-Trafficking Committee, Mr Adatus Magere and
6. Other officials from the Government and international and national organizations.

Dr Qasim Sufi, the IOM Chief of Mission (CoM) in the United Republic of Tanzania represented the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UN RC), Mr Zlatan Milisic and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in the event.

Prior to the discourses, participants visited the exhibition of handwork products made by Victims of Trafficking (VoT) presented by national entities dealing with VoT in the country including:

1. Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI);
2. Salvation Army Tanzania;
3. Kiota Women Health and Development Organization (KIWOHEDE);
4. Faraja Young Women Centre and
5. WoteSawa Young Domestic Workers.

In his remarks, the Hon. Minister underlined the importance of having a coordinated approach on the fight against human trafficking. He urged the Secretariat to substantiate the situation with TIP specific statistics and data. He expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders and requested them to continue support the Government against Human Trafficking and has reiterated the Government’s commitment and determination in fighting TiP in the country by quoting this year’s national theme “Committed to the Cause - Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”. He used the occasion to also thank the international community for its continues support to the Government’s efforts to eradicate the TiP in the country.

The IOM CoM, Dr Qasim Sufi who has also made remarks on behalf of IOM and the United Nations (UN) in the event and appreciated the excellent collaboration that IOM and the UN has with the Government and other stakeholders in addressing TiP in the country.

IOM works with both Government, UN and other 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.

The international community, including IOM, considers Trafficking in Persons as one of the grossest violations of human rights. It is therefore of utmost importance to take actions and respond to it effectively. IOM embraces this year’s national theme: “Committed to the Cause - Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”. The 2020 theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons focused on the first responders to human trafficking. These are the people from different sectors who work in identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking in persons, 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

IOM is an active member of the UN Joint Programmes under the Pillar “Ending Violence Against Women and Children”, in both Kigoma and Zanzibar that is led by the United Nations Fund Population (UNFPA) under the framework of the UN Development Assistance Plan Two (UNDAP II) covering the period 2017-2021.

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

For more information please contact:

David Hofmeijer at dhofmeijer@iom.int or Tel.: +255 699 674 975

Halima Sonda at hsonda@iom.int or Tel: +255 699 699 392