Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in partnership with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has launched a research study to co-design financial capability and asset building interventions to reduce labour related human trafficking in Mangochi District from current 43 to 15 per cent in two years.
The study is funded by the United States Department for Trafficking in Persons through Centre for Human Trafficking Research and Outreach at Georgia University to the tune of K57 million and will be conducted for two years.
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The initiative targets 152 youths and young adults in traditional authorities; Makanjira, Nankumba, Bwananyambi, Chowe, Chimwala, Katuli and Mponda.
Speaking on Wednesday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting, CCJP Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Priscilla Kauze said the research study seeks to reduce labour trafficking by 15 percent from 43 percent in two years.
Kauze observed that most of the youths in Mangochi either migrate outside the district due to poverty, lack of financial ability and start-up capital, making them more vulnerable to exploited labour related trafficking.
“Through this study, we intend to design effective interventions to combat labour trafficking. We hope that the insights gathered from the 152 youths and young adults will inform the development of a comprehensive manual to address the malpractice,” said Kauze.
She added that the manual will consist of three key components: digital saving and loan groups, working capital and financial asset.
Kauze, howver, expressed hope that the three key components will help improve livelihood of young people; thereby, reducing their vulnerability to exploitation.
“These components will equip youths with financial management skills and provide them with financial support, enabling them to start their own businesses locally. The goal is to empower youths to stay in the country, explore local opportunities rather than migrating abroad and risking labour exploitation,” Kauze added.
In her remarks, CRS Project Officer, Tamandani Phiri said out of 152 youths and young adults, 12 will participate in the first phase of the study which will cover four months as pilot phase.
Phiri disclosed that the 12 participants will be equipped with skills on financial management, entrepreneurship and asset building development on top of receiving grants to form digital savings and loan groups.
“The study will be conducted in two phases, initial four months phase and 20 months second phase, totaling to two years. This will enable us to assess outcomes and determine impact of the study on the district, followed by survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the study,” she said.
Director of Planning and Development for Mangochi District Council, Chris Nawata commended the initiative, calling for more innovative solutions to address labour related trafficking and youth economic empowerment in Mangochi.
Nawata anticipated that the study would yield positive outcomes for the youth in the district.
