Human Trafficking On The Rise In Horn Of Africa

By Ella -

02 November 2011

London (The Guardian) — Natural disasters, armed conflict and famine devastating the Horn of Africa have caused an increase in human smuggling and trafficking in the region. Women and children, most fleeing drought and conflict in Somalia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda are being trafficked into Kenya and sold into prostitution, domestic labor, or cattle herding with a promise of a better life.

Womankind Kenya, an NGO based in Kenya’s North Eastern Province, estimates that 50 young girls are trafficked or smuggled to Nairobi each week. The bulk of the distribution of girls to different parts of Kenya and across the world occurs from the central market in Nairobi. The International Organization for Migration estimates that more than 10,000 people are trafficked into Kenya’s Coast province each year.

In efforts to curb trafficking, President Mwai Kibaki signed The Counter Trafficking in Persons Act in 2010. Under the law, trafficking in persons is now criminal and people involved or convicted of the offense face a 30-year jail term and a fine of over $300,000. Every week, the arrests of 140 people occur after being smuggled or trafficked into Kenya, totaling to 7,280 arrests per year.

RELIABILITY: 9

SOURCE: Human Trafficking On The Rise Amid Horn Of Africa's Drought And Famine
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/nov/02/trafficking-on-rise-horn-africa?newsfeed=true


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