Conference on the overlap of counter-trafficking and refugee issues in Kenya
HAART Kenya conducted a conference on the overlap between refugees, IDP's and victims of human trafficking. The overall aim of the workshop was to provide a space that facilitates learning and dialogue for stakeholders involved in refugee issues and human trafficking sectors in Kenya. There were representatives from various CSOs working on issues of migration, human trafficking, human rights, refugee issues, and internally displaced persons. Present were also government officials from different departments.
Also present at the conference was an exhibition space where several organizations were able to showcase their work and merchandise. All proceeds from the fair are going towards provisions for shelters and direct support to victims of trafficking.
Stop the Traffik Kenya (STT-K) showcased their work on the Universal Periodic Review and spoke to the conference participants about the network and its role in the fight against trafficking in Kenya and the region. Liberty Shared was also requested to participate in the STTK booth and showcase Freedom Collaborative and recent activities.
Featured organization: Stop the Traffik Kenya (STT-K)
Stop the Traffik- Kenya (STT-K) is an affiliate of Stop the Traffik-Global (STTG) which is a movement that aims to prevent human trafficking. The founding members of STTK are The Salvation Army, Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART) Kenya, Trace Kenya, Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA)and Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA). The current steering committee members are CAPA, HAART Kenya, The Salvation Army, and Trace Kenya.
Stop the Traffik- Kenya was officially launched in February 2018 and seeks to prevent trafficking by engaging in community transformation, gathering and sharing knowledge as well as through global campaigning. The membership is open to individuals, civil society organizations and the private sector working, or interested in working, within the anti-human trafficking field.
STTK shared their recent accomplishments and plans for the future with us, please have a read.
Other regional updates
Liberty Shared signed an MoU with Malawi Network Against Trafficking (MNAT) to continue fostering a greater collaborative partnership with the network. Liberty Shared also conducted a two-day workshop with 25 MNAT members to launch Liberty Shared’s new Collaborative Case Data Platform (CCDP) in Lilongwe on 29-30 October 2019 at Bingu International Conference Centre.
HAART Kenya was among several organizations that partnered with KCCB to host the 2nd Africa Regional Conference of The Santa Marta Group. The theme of the conference focused on ''Sensitizing local communities on human trafficking in Africa''. Various religious representatives from different parts of Africa convened at the conference. They shared their experiences of Africa as a source, transit and destination continent. The discussions informed leaders on the general overview of trafficking in persons. Present leaders were also able to develop regional strategies in curbing human trafficking through prevention, protection and partnership paradigms. A write up of all of HAARTs activities in the past month can be found here.
Candle of Hope made strides in their Hope for the horn awareness campaign in Somaliland by devising several approaches of reaching their target to raise awareness against modern slavery. They also participated and contributed to the drafting of the CSO complementary report to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), and in the Stop the traffic stakeholders’ meeting, where a number of issues were raised including; how best we can improve coordination and partnership. Read more here.