To mark the first ever World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on the 30th of July, IOM joined the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in an educational outreach programme organized for students from selected schools in Dar es Salaam. The programme entitled ‘Fun Thursday’ was aimed at raising awareness of the global issue of human trafficking, highlighting the plight of the millions of women, men and children who fall victim to this heinous crime.

A one day event took place at the Coco Beach grounds in Dar es Salaam involving teachers and students (aged 13-14) from various primary schools in Dar es Salaam.   The day included informative presentations on human trafficking, as well as interactive games, and question and answer sessions. Also present at the day’s events were assistant superintendent of the Tanzania Police Force, as well as an officer from UNHCR and the United Nations.

IOM Tanzania gave an insightful presentation on trafficking in persons, using the child-friendly brochure it has developed, entitled: “Be their Voice: Children are a treasure NOT slaves, help to fight child trafficking” to explain a scenario of child trafficking. The children were very engaged, and took the opportunity to ask questions about the crime of human trafficking. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) one in four victims of trafficking globally are children, therefore it is important to educate young children on the dangers of trafficking.

This was also an opportunity to sensitize media towards this global issue. Reporters from different media outlets were present to cover the event.  IOM provided them with information sheets on the activities it has conducted within the context of the EU Project: Supporting the establishment of protection, assistance and referral mechanisms for child victims of trafficking in Tanzania”, as well as other public information materials developed by IOM. IOM’s national officer for counter trafficking, Ms. Tusa Njwaba, was interviewed by ITV on IOM’s work to combat trafficking in Tanzania.

The fight against human trafficking is one of the core activities of IOM in Tanzania, which is a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking.  These outreach activities fall within within the framework of the project: “Supporting the establishment of protection, assistance and referral mechanisms for child victims of trafficking in Tanzania,” funded by the European Union and the UN Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP 2011-2015). In this project, IOM works in close collaboration with in ten selected public schools in ten selected regions namely Arusha, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, Tabora, Kigoma, Dodoma, Iringa, Mbeya, Ruvuma and Mtwara to raise awareness on trafficking issues.  

For more information contact:

Tusa Njwaba
IOM Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 2602913, Ext. 113
Email: tnjwaba@iom.int