Advertisement

Zimbabwe conference urges cooperation to fight human trafficking

Credit: Unsplash.

By ACI Africa

Harare, 17 August, 2019 / 12:24 am (ACI Africa).

A recent conference in Zimbabwe encouraged government officials, church leaders and academics to work together to fight human trafficking.

The conference was held in Harare at Arrupe Jesuit University. It was put on by the university’s Africa Forum for Catholic Social Teaching (AFCAST), in partnership with Nottingham University of the United Kingdom.

At the conference, survivors of human trafficking gave their testimonies and challenged participants to spread awareness of trafficking, Vatican News reported. Participants also discussed the various criminal aspects that accompany human trafficking, including coercion, abduction, and fraud.

Speakers included Anna Medeiros, the Migration and Development Coordinator of the International Organisation on Migration (IOM); Chiedza Bindu of the Zimbabwe Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Secretariat; and Dadirai Chikwekwete, administrator for the Africa Forum for Catholic Social Teaching.

Zimbabwe police officers were also in attendance. Maria Phiri of the Zimbabwe Republic Police encouraged everyone to collaborate to “detect and report cases of human trafficking,” according to Vatican News.

Advertisement

“Let us work as a team, let us not point any fingers at anyone - we can address human trafficking together,” said Phiri.

Sister Theresa Nyadombo, education secretary for the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, said a collaborative effort is needed to raise human trafficking awareness.

“Everyone must break the culture of silence. We must have human trafficking awareness, a network of everyone playing their part in ending this and the key weapon is education where we can promote the values of peace, love and accountability,” she said, according to Vatican News.

Trending

You may also like

The Vatican and Microsoft have created a 3D digital model of St. Peter’s Basilica using the latest in artificial intelligence to offer a new way to experience the nearly 2,000-year history of the tomb of St. Peter. / Credit: Microsoft La Basilica Di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience

Discover the History of St. Peter’s Basilica in New Microsoft Oline AI-enhanced 3D Model

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of...

An external view of the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem during the procession of the Franciscan friars after the first vespers of the Ascension solemnity on May 8, 2024. The procession circled the chapel three times. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Catholics Ascend to Mount Olives, Site of Jesus’ Ascension, Only Day They Can Use Chapel Currently Under Muslim Control

“I’m excited to have come to pray in the actual place of the Ascension... I want to be closer to...

Pope Francis arriving at the meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and catechists in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, Sept. 10, 2024. / Vatican Media

Catholics in East Timor Welcome Pope Francis to their Island "oasis" of Religious Vocations

Speaking in Dili's cathedral, Pope Francis challenged East Timor's Catholic leaders to renew evangelization efforts, declaring that the nation's position...