Credit: Miriam Gathigah/IPS
Many Africans are being targeted by human trafficking networks made up of employment agencies, recruiters on university campuses, family, friends, and pastors. Many of which are trafficked to Middle Eastern nations. According to the Trafficking in Persons Report there is an estimated 40 million slaves globally. In 2016 it was estimated that 9.2 million trafficking victims were from Africa. Africans are especially vulnerable due to the lack of resources and opportunities in their home countries.
Traffickers prey on the desperate, weak, and vulnerable populations for financial gain. Victims are promised better opportunities for themselves and their families. Most have no idea they are entering a sophisticated network of organized crime. They are unaware of the trap set before them of sexual exploitation, domestic labor, baby factories, child labor and child soldiers. Once the reality of their situation sinks in, it is too late; they are already trapped in a situation many cannot escape. Those able to escape or are rescued are sent back to the desperation they were fleeing in the first place. They are as desperate and vulnerable as before but now secretly suffering the trauma endured from being trafficked. Many African nations do not offer support or trauma based care once victims return home. Without support and trauma care many victims are susceptible to being trafficked again.
Efforts to bring awareness and education on the tactics of trafficking networks are desperately needed. Without these efforts to prevent them falling prey to human trafficking disguised as opportunities for a better life; we will continue to see more and more Africans bought and sold as modern day slaves. We understand the severity of the global slave trade we also know prayer and action changes things. We ask you to join us in prayer for the vulnerable and the broken being trafficked world wide.
Photo: Miriam Gathigah/IPS
Sources:
https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-trafficking-in-persons-report/
http://www.ipsnews.net/2019/10/human-trafficking-came-disguised-opportunity-lifetime/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49877287?SThisFB
https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/facts
https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm
https://www.borgenmagazine.com/top-10-facts-about-human-trafficking-in-africa/