Youth Targeted in Safe Journey Campaign
A multi-media IOM information campaign aiming to educate young
people on the dangers of irregular migration and on HIV prevention
which began last year, is again hitting the road with a particular
focus on youth.
A road show consisting of a truck that converts into a stage
with a giant movie screen, is setting off today for a three-month
tour around 66 different locations in the country with an energetic
crew of actors trained in interactive theatre. Audiences will have
the opportunity to participate and recount their own migration
experiences while being entertained by music, dance and film.
"The roadshow reinforces the messages that in foreign countries,
undocumented migrants will encounter little or no access to health
care, the risk of HIV infection and will enjoy few legal rights,"
says IOM's Nicola Simmonds. "The Safe Journey campaign also uses
radio, print, billboards and bumper stickers to convey safe
migration messages. It is designed to give young people the
information they need to make informed decisions about whether or
not to migrate."
Irregular migration puts people at great risk with migrants
often being subjected to exploitation, violence, sexual abuse and
HIV infection. Detention and return are also a reality for many
irregular migrants from Zimbabwe.
In just under a year, 130,000 migrants have been returned from
South Africa alone and an additional 38,000 from Botswana.
For further information, please contact:
Nicola Simmonds
IOM Harare
Mobile: +263 (0) 91440076
E-mail:
"mailto:nsimmonds@iom.int">nsimmonds@iom.int