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First Lady: Human trafficking 21st Century disgrace
2007-12-18 09:38:49
By Bilham Kimati
The First Lady, Mama Salma Kikwete, has appealed to the general public to work together to stop human trafficking, a practice that has caused unspeakable suffering to victims, especially women and children.
In a speech read on her behalf by Kinondoni District Commissioner Fabian Masawe during a live concert that focused on social responsibility to combat human trafficking, Mama Kikwete said the need to combat human trafficking remained both a national and global challenge.
The concert, which was held in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The event was also attended by government officials, diplomats, students, artists and other invited guests
``Uwe Sauti Yao (Be their Voice) is the catch phrase carrying a powerful message and also appealing for individual commitment to end the affliction of innocent victims. It calls for more than just saying.
It is all about involvement of each of us in the process to speak for those suffering in the hands of unconcerned perpetrators,`` Salma said.
For the objectives to be realised, added the First Lady, the campaign against human trafficking should be extended to involve various levels of the community.
``It is disgraceful in the 21st century to remain silent while fellow human beings are being exploited, tortured, forced into prostitution and turned into commodities. Let`s stand together to defend their rights, educated families and friends to fight the scourge,`` she insisted.
The IOM Chief of Mission, Par Liljeat thanked the government and other stakeholders for continued support to the important course, the backing that made possible for IOM to salvage a number of children in the country.
``Policymakers, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders can help make a difference. Let`s stand together to carry the message across and be their voice in real sense,`` said the chief of mission.
He said in case people would like to share information with IOM to help stop human trafficking in the neighbourhood the contact website is www.uwe-sauti-yao.org.
Efforts made by both local and the international community to address the problem of human trafficking include the UN ratification of a protocol in 2000 meant to prevent, eradicate and castigate illegal human trafficking, women and children being the major victims.
The National Assembly also sanctioned the protocol on May 24, 2006.
Human trafficking is a global issue that has caused suffering to millions of men, women and children. Some of the victims end up being deceived and subjected to life-threatening exploitation ranging from being lowly paid industrial workers, commercial sex operations, household servitude, mining, agriculture and fishing sectors, witchcrafts, entreating and petty crimes among others.
The live concert brought together famous artists and groups including Mega Arts, Gospel Singers, Florah Mbasha, Enica, Prof. Jay and Banana Zorro. Secondary schools represented were Jangwani, Zanaki, Kibasila, St Mary\'s, Makongo and Jitegemee.
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