Let’s Speak Out! Against Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery of Women and Children in Cameroon
According to a report published by the US Department of State in June 2018, Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor, trafficking, and modern-day slavery. Victims are often lured by the promise of education, job prospect, or a better and glorious life in the big city or abroad. Marginalized and displaced women, as well as homeless children and orphans, are especially vulnerable to trafficking.
An international organization reported Cameroon currently has over 665,000 "individuals of concern” as of February 2018 – including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) – who are vulnerable to trafficking due to their economic instability, lack of access to formal justice, limited education, and unemployment, just to name a few. Cameroonians from disadvantaged communities, in particular from rural areas, are exploited in forced labor and trafficking in the Middle East, Europe, the USA, as well as African countries. Most victims of trafficking and modern-day slavery from Cameroon are women between the ages of 20 and 38, many of whom come from the Northwest and Southwest regions. More often than not, the intermediaries to trafficking are local community members, including religious leaders, former victims-turned-perpetrators, even close family members. These traffic networks advertise jobs and education opportunities through the internet and other media, or directly to disenfranchised families.
As a non-government organization, CAEPA Cameroon continues to be an advocate for detection, prevention, and mitigation of trafficking and modern-day slavery, by providing a safe haven for women and children, offering educational and vocational training, and empowering the victims with tools and skills needed for successful reintegration into their communities.
Please tune in to Christian Broadcast Service (CBS) Bamenda 101.0FM on Saturday, December 15th, 2018, between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm with our host Kelly Vera-Molo, as we discuss the issues surrounding the trafficking of women and ways in which we can help. Survivors of modern-day slavery must be treated with dignity and respect, without prejudice or judgment. Often the victims are afraid to speak up or seek help for fear of retaliation by their perpetrator. Shame and feelings of worthlessness and failure also play a role in the silencing of the victims.
