Zambia's political institutions have publicly made declarations to dismantle the perpetuation of abuse and traumatization of children by ratifying several national and international treaties over the past several decades. The Anti-Human Trafficking Act No.11 of 2008 represents an attempt by the Zambian government to address the challenges of forced labor in a systematic way. It was designed to make human trafficking illegal, create preventative measures, and prosecute individuals who engage in the promotion of human trafficking. However, there is a disconnection between the magnitude of laws enacted and their subsequent implementation. Are these laws more performative in nature and how can the government effectively shift towards quality implementation? What are the long-term causes of failing to provide quality policy evaluation and policy analysis? With recent legislative developments, particularly the enactment of Amendment No. 16 in 2022 to the 2008 Anti-Human Trafficking Act, there is a pressing need for comprehensive research to assess its impact and identify areas for improvement. This presentation will uncover insights into the efficacy of implemented strategies, unintended consequences, and recommendations for enhancing the future outcomes of trafficked children. Attendees will walk away with a deep understanding of human trafficking in the Zambian context and how laws that are enacted without further implementation analysis do further harm than good for key stakeholders.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Yvonne Mbewe has spent her career delving into childhood trauma and multisystemic interventions to trauma and abuse. Her research at University of Connecticut assesses human trafficking legislation and implementation for trafficked child laborers in Zambia. Yvonne serves as an Adjunct Lecturer with Columbia University’s School of Social Work.