The objective of the project is to contribute to the efforts of the Government of Madagascar (GOM) in responding to human trafficking in an informed, coordinated and victim-centred manner. Madagascar is both a source country for trafficking in persons (TIP) to other countries and home to high levels of internal trafficking (US TIP Report 2013). Internally, trafficking and exploitation of children for domestic servitude, prostitution, forced begging, and forced labour continues to be an issue in both rural and urban areas. At the international level, women and men have been trafficked from Madagascar to a number of countries, primarily for exploitation in the sex industry and labour exploitation as domestic or textile factory workers and fishermen. Despite the promulgation of an anti-trafficking law in 2007, Madagascar currently does not have strong government-level coordination and communication regarding trafficking issues.
Despite reports of TIP in Madagascar, the GOM does not have the depth or breadth of information required to make informed decisions about CT policy and victim support. To address the immediate need for data and situational information, IOM will conduct a thorough baseline assessment of TIP in Madagascar. In addition, the project will support awareness raising in an effort to inform potential victims of trafficking (VOTs) of the risks associated with irregular migration as well as coordination activities among government officials and service providers. The direct beneficiary of the project is the GOM, but better-informed policy and support services based on this assessment and improved coordination will ultimately benefit VOTs and families of VOTs.