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difficulties in criminal justice responses which includes sufficient legislation and the conviction of traffickers (UNODC, 2012: 90).
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CHAPTER EIGHT: RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
8.1 Recommendations
The experience of African states establishes the extent to which effective counter trafficking measures need to be comprehensive, integrated and targeted at multiple levels within society.
Addressing the trafficking of persons in Southern Africa requires anti-trafficking interventions that address prevention, protection, prosecution and also assistance of victims’
return and resettlement. This chapter will therefore suggest possible strategies that can be implemented towards combating human trafficking. In light of the information reflected in this study, this chapter sets out a few recommendations to help SADC and various institutions to mitigate the problem of human trafficking. Several recommendations are made for the development of a comprehensive approach that can inform effective action to prevent, protect victims of trafficking and also prosecute traffickers. These recommendations are however not an exhaustive list of responses.
8.1.1 Community engagement
There is a lack of understanding of how to identify victims of human trafficking not just by the public, government officials and law enforcers but also by victims who may not believe or understand that they are the victim of a crime. Community led activities are an important prevention tool.
8.1.2 Awareness of trafficking at grassroots levels
Generally, people are not well informed of the nature of human trafficking and have insufficient or no knowledge with regard to issues of human rights, gender equality and the damage caused to the society by the spread of human trafficking (Tallin, 2006: 17). There is thus need for campaigns extended beyond borders of countries, particularly to those major nations of origin in the region. Communities involved in cultural practices such as child labour and forced marriages which lead to human trafficking also need directed awareness campaigns. This will show communities how certain cultural practices relate to vulnerability of individuals (HSRC, 2010: 174). Any person who does not know how to seek a job abroad in a safe manner or how to legally enter into an employment contract may easily become a member of the ‘at risk group’. Ministries of education in member states must include in their curriculums information pertaining to the trafficking of persons, its causes, forms, processes, consequences and also solutions. Such a curriculum should be adapted in primary, secondary,
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tertiary, college and university institutions (Chitupila, 2009: 71). This would extend awareness of trafficking and also empower educators and learners to react properly to risk situations and enable them to access relevant services (HRSC, 2010: 169).
Awareness of the nature and extent of human trafficking should also be incorporated into informal education activities such as sports, clubs and religious activities aimed at reaching children and the youth (UNESCO, 2OO6: 59).
8.1.3 Addressing root causes of trafficking
In different communities, different factors increase the risk of being trafficked. Amongst the integrated measures that must be undertaken to deal with human trafficking are interventions to curb socio-economic vulnerability especially in rural areas. For instance, poverty and the lack of social and economic security are seen to be primary factors that leave individuals and communities vulnerable to human trafficking in Southern Africa (HRSC, 2010: 168).
Research shows that where there is the highest rate of human trafficking is where poverty is.
Therefore, families that fall through the cracks of the social safety net in society are often extremely vulnerable. Alleviating these problems should be a national and regional priority.
Southern African countries should thus promote social, political and economic stability so as to reduce migration and other supply factors of trafficking.
8.1.4 Economic empowerment of women and girls
Experience with anti-trafficking interventions has proven that women and children isolated from socioeconomic activities at the local level run a higher risk of being trafficked as they represent the world’s poorest population (Cheston and Kuhn, 2002: 8). Reports by the World Bank on gender statistics shows that women have a higher unemployment rate than men in virtually every country (Cheston and Kuhn, 2002: 8). Generally, women make up the majority of the lower paid, unorganized informal sector of most economies. It is in this regard that the foundations of anti-trafficking programs in place make special emphasis on assisting women living in poor and extremely harsh conditions. Society reveals that there is marginalization of women economically, thus interventions for women’s economic empowerment must address unequal gender relations (GADN, 2013: 9). Empowerment programs should aim to improve women’s status and their position in their families and the community by improving their confidence and self-determination through economic empowerment activities. This will give women the ability to participate more actively in decision making in families and also communities.
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In the SADC region, member states should adopt a Protocol that criminalises human trafficking. The Protocol should incorporate human rights, migration, human development and criminal approaches. Furthermore, member states should enact and enforce national legislation based on regional legislation.
8.1.5 Putting in place and enforcement of adequate legal frameworks
Southern countries are lacking specific and adequate legislation and this has been one of the major obstacles in the fight against human trafficking. There is an urgent need to develop appropriate legislative frameworks that are consistent with relevant international instruments and standards. States should be able to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking, including its component acts and related conduct whether committed by governmental or non-state actors (UN, 2002: 8). Southern African states should consider amending or adopting national legislation in accordance with international standards so that the crime of trafficking is precisely defined in national legal instruments. National laws should also provide detailed guidelines of various punishable elements of trafficking (UN, 2002: 8). This will play a vital role in preventing the trafficking of persons and also related exploitation.
8.1.6 Adequate law enforcement response
Although there is evidence to suggest that trafficking in persons is increasing in the Southern African region, few traffickers have been apprehended. Absence of effective law enforcement has created an incentive for traffickers and therefore increased the demand for trafficking (UN, 2002: 9). Adequate law enforcement response to trafficking depends on cooperation of the victims of trafficking and also witnesses to the crime. More often individuals are reluctant to report cases of trafficking because of the absence of effective protection mechanisms (UN, 2002: 9). So, law enforcement officials should be more involved in the fight against trafficking. Moreover, strong measures need to be taken to ensure that human trafficking crimes are investigated, prosecuted and punished.