Nairobi: Leaders, activists, policymakers, and survivors assembled in Nairobi for a significant consultation aimed at tackling one of Africa’s most persistent crises: the trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and girls.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event was organized by Equality Now and brought together state and non-state actors dedicated to creating a comprehensive approach to prevention, legal reform, survivor support, and community education. Faiza Mohammed, Africa Office Director of Equality Now, emphasized the urgency for collective action at the opening of the event.
Mohammed highlighted the expanding challenge of trafficking into the digital space, alongside the physical. She noted the inconsistencies in laws across Africa and the weak enforcement that allows traffickers to act without fear of repercussions. The organization advocates for legal reforms but recognizes the need for collaboration between survivors’ networks, state officials, and civil societies.
The consultation focused on prevention as a key theme. Evans Munga, Programme Lead for Ending Sexual Exploitation in Africa at Equality Now, stressed the interconnectedness of offline and online exploitation and called for clearer frameworks that involve technology firms, legal practitioners, and law enforcement.
Survivor testimonies during the event exposed the realities of exploitation and the barriers to justice. Discussions revealed how powerful interests often hinder legal processes, leading to stalled prosecutions and silenced victims. Participants developed recommendations, including policy reforms and capacity building for frontline workers, emphasizing the importance of survivor voices in crafting effective solutions.
The socio-economic drivers of exploitation were also addressed. Katherine Wanjohi, Founder and CEO of Life Bloom Services International, shared stories from Naivasha and Nakuru counties, where girls are exploited for basic necessities. Life Bloom has provided rescue, legal support, counseling, and livelihood programs since 2004, working to break cycles of poverty and marginalization.
Educational mentorship programs, established by Life Bloom, have helped over 150 children remain in school and avoid early exploitation. The initiatives have fostered cultural change, promoting equality and human dignity through dialogue and education.
Throughout the conference, speakers reiterated that justice must extend beyond the courtroom. Socio-economic justice was highlighted as a critical factor in supporting legal justice, meeting survivors’ needs long after their initial exploitation.
The convening was a crucial step toward a unified strategy to combat trafficking and sexual exploitation across Africa. Collaboration, rather than isolation, was identified as the key to progress, with calls for governments, private sector actors, and citizens to take action.
Faiza Mohammed urged the audience to reject complacency, stating, “This is about human dignity. It is about whether we will allow exploitation to define our societies or whether we will stand together to end it.”
Amanda Manyame, Equality Now’s Digital Rights Advisor, emphasized the urgent need to address online sexual exploitation. She called for laws mandating equality and safety by design in digital platforms, noting that outdated laws hinder justice for online harms and urging reforms to reflect modern trafficking and abuse.
