Girl Trafficking: Causes, Experiences and Challenges encountered A case of Arusha Municipality

Abstract

Persistence of human trafficking in Tanzania is reported to be exacerbated by many factors including patriarchal systems, poverty, peer influences, job opportunities and availability of social services to mention a few. Deprivation of capabilities however, has been thought to catalyze the situation more as compared to others. In a research conducted in Arusha Municipality involving girls who are victims of human trafficking and other stakeholders;  it was found out that destitution of rural families, forced marriages, peer influences, broken families and gender based violence were among the root causes which rendered these young girls become preys to traffickers.  Further the study found out that these young girls faced a lot of challenges including being overworked and being unpaid, being tortured physically and sometimes emotionally. Complementing these challenges the girls lamented on sexual abuse and even disease which they encounter. In combating the situation the study recommends more drastic measures to the Government and other stakeholders including increasing awareness in Human Trafficking to the general public and encourages victims to report the cases. Additionally it recommends that children who are most vulnerable and at high risk of being trafficked be checked regularly and if possible be supplied with the basic needs.

Key words: Gender based violence, Human trafficking, Poverty, Trafficking in children