Tanzania’s ‘Not in My Country’ campaign takes aim at human trafficking”

DAR ES SALAAM: Human trafficking is one of the world’s most profitable illegal industries, raking in over $150 billion annually, right behind the global drug trade.

That’s why Tanzania’s ‘Not in My Country, End Trafficking’ campaign, launched by the Tanzania Network Against Human Trafficking (TANAHUT) in collaboration with Courage Worldwide (CWW) and IOM Tanzania  has decided to put its foot down and demand an end to this devastating crime.

The campaign kicked off at Tumaini University in Dar es Salaam, recently with a message from TANAHUT’s Director, Advocate Edwin Mugambila, who made it clear that human trafficking is not just a crime, but a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that needs to be tackled head-on – just like the battle against drugs.

“We need to fight human trafficking with as much force as we fight the drug trade,” he said, stressing that this is not a battle for the faint-hearted.

One of the most powerful tools in this fight? The youth. Mugambila explained that students, particularly university students, are critical to raising awareness.

“These young minds have the energy, the reach, and the drive to spread the word and take action,” he said. And from there, the campaign is set to spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Tanzania — from universities to villages.

Mugambila’s campaign mantra is simple: “Speak up, raise our voices, and make sure those responsible are arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced.”

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He emphasized that the silence around human trafficking must be shattered. In his words, it’s time to stop tiptoeing around the issue and confront the criminals head-on.

Human trafficking is no longer just about people being smuggled across borders; he added. Internal trafficking, where people, particularly young girls, are lured from rural areas to urban centers and even abroad, is an equally disturbing problem. Mugambila pointed out the growing number of beggars in Dar es Salaam as a particularly alarming sign of human trafficking rings in the area.

That’s exactly why the campaign is titled “Not in My Country.” The goal is to unite Tanzanians in saying ‘no’ to trafficking in every form, across every part of society.

According to Mugambila, the fight isn’t just about awareness; it’s about action. Everyone – from law enforcement and journalists to students and university staff – needs to join forces.

But what exactly is human trafficking? Many Tanzanians are still in the dark, with some thinking it only involves crossing borders.

However, internal trafficking can be just as harmful and prevalent. It can happen right under our noses, and it’s time to shine a light on this hidden epidemic.

Susan Shoo, Executive Director of Courage Worldwide in Dar es Salaam, shared some eye-opening insights during the launch. She revealed that many cases of trafficking start in the home, with abuse by a parent or guardian leading to victimization. It’s a harsh reality, as children often lose their self-esteem and, tragically, can even be criminalized for their exploitation.

She noted that the key to combating this issue is societal awareness. “We need to help the public recognize the signs and encourage them to report trafficking incidents,” she said. If the community can understand the true nature of human trafficking and how it begins, they’ll be better equipped to prevent it.

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Stephanie Midthur, the East African Regional Director of Courage Worldwide, echoed Ms Shoo’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collective action. “With this campaign, we hope to ignite a wave of societal engagement,” she said. The message is simple but powerful: “Not in my city. Not in my village. Not in my school. Not in my family. Not in my life.”

Together, these advocates hope to create a future where human trafficking is no longer a profitable industry, but a dark chapter in the past that’s been fully eradicated through collective action and awareness. The ‘Not in My Country’ campaign is just the beginning of what will be a long and determined fight against human trafficking in Tanzania.