Windhoek, 30th of July 2020-The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare of the Republic of Namibia, in close collaboration with Civil Societies, Tertiary institutions, Ministries, and the United Nations (UN) Agencies, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), came together to commemorate the 2020 World Day Against Trafficking in Person, which was attended by 21 participants. This year’s theme, which is “Committed to the Cause−Working on the frontline to end human trafficking” focused on the first responders to human trafficking. The theme underscores the important roles played by Front Line Officers, who are responsible for providing services, aimed at raising awareness, promoting and protecting the rights of human trafficking victims. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the role of first responders has become more important, mainly, as the restrictions imposed by the crisis has made their work even more difficult, thus often making their contributions unrecognized or overlocked. The commemoration recognized front-line service providers against Trafficking in Person (TiP), whose commitment has provided coordination in-terms of their response to victims of trafficking. By legislative reforms, as well as capacity building have been the cornerstones of response for (TiP) in Namibia.

          As a result, the Government of Namibia (GoN) was promoted to a Tier 1 country in the Trafficking in Person (TiPs)−report for the year 2020, for adhering to the minimum standards on the prevention and elimination of trafficking. Namibia−has joined 34 other nations globally and is the only country to achieve a Tier 1 status in Africa. This year’s commemoration event was attended by the Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and the Ministry Minister and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, the Head of Office of IOM Namibia Ms. Florence Situmbeko, Hon. Doreen Sioka Minister of Gender Equality, Poverty, Eradication and Social Welfare, Her Excellency Ambassador Lisa Johnson representing the United States Embassy to the Republic of Namibia (virtually), Advocate. Martha Imalwa the Prosecutor General, Major General Oscar Embubulu, Deputy Inspector General on behalf Lt. Gen. Sebastian Ndeitunga the Inspector General from the Namibian Police Force, Hon. Bernadette Maria Jagger, Deputy Minister, from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare and other Senior Government Officials from different ministries, and members of various media houses.

           The objectives of the 2020 theme are to bring attention to the contributions made by first responders, their organizations, the communities and teams, and their impact on the fight against trafficking. Key messages focused on raising awareness and seeking support, by recognizing the important contribution and work done by first responders. IOM, in close collaboration with various partners, has been facilitating voluntary returns and reintegration of vulnerable migrants (including victims of trafficking) in need of assistance, and taking into account the needs and concerns of local communities. “Trafficking in Persons is a human right violation, which increasingly has become a global issues and Namibia is not and exception, “said Ms. Florence Situmbeko, Head of IOM in Namibia. Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister stated, “that human trafficking has become a global modern-day slavery, which calls for raising awareness, encourage vigilance by supporting the interventions focused on prevention”. Her Excellency Ambassador Lisa Johnson, representing the United States Embassy to the Republic of Namibia, stated “that Namibia has achieved a Tier 1, top ranking in the 2020 Trafficking in Person Report, as a result of Namibia’s firm commitment to combat human trafficking, but all of us including Tier 1 countries −such as the United States of America; still have room for improvement.”

The Commemoration of World Day against Trafficking in Persons is in alignment and cuts across most of the objectives of the Global Compact on Migration (GCM), as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, specifically the SDGs those mentioning human trafficking in the targets of three goals: 5, 8, and 16. The International Organization for Migration is committed to continue to support the government and partners in taking forward initiatives on Trafficking in Person (TiP).

For more information, please contact Ms. Florence Situmbeko, Head of Office, IOM Namibia at fsitumbeko@iom.int