An agreement between IOM and the European Union (EU) delegation to
Zimbabwe will promote and reinforce the human rights of vulnerable
people and victims of trafficking in the African country.

Zimbabwe, as many other countries, is witness to human
trafficking for forced sexual or labour exploitation both
internally and abroad. However, there is little capacity in the
country to tackle the issue.

The programme will focus on strengthening the capacity of civil
society in promoting human rights among these groups by
establishing dialogue platforms with the government on
anti-trafficking policy research, formulation and implementation. A
national anti-trafficking legal framework containing measures on
prevention, protection, support and rehabilitation of victims and
the prosecution of traffickers is to be developed.

IOM has been already working to strengthen collaboration amongst
civil society organizations in Zimbabwe working on countering human
trafficking by establishing a networking group to mainstream and
implement counter-trafficking activities around the country.

In addition, IOM is currently coordinating the development of a
nationwide directory listing all those who provide assistance and
protection to victims of trafficking as well as initiating the
drafting of a counter-trafficking manual.

"This support from the European Union will help develop and
broaden comprehensive and integrated anti-trafficking programming
among the civil society.  This will encourage the government
to adopt and implement measures impeding human trafficking and
protecting victims," says IOM Chief of Mission in Zimbabwe Marcelo
Pisani.

For more information please contact:

Zuzana Jankechova

IOM Zimbabwe

Tel: +263.4 335048

Email: "mailto:zjankechova@iom.int">zjankechova@iom.int