Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Human trafficking is on rise in Kenya...associated with Fgm and Early marriage research by DAVID KIMANI MANJAU and THE STANDARD

It was early in the morning when 13 girls were found stranded outside one of the offices to a bus company in Mombasa.

The girls, who were aged between 10 and 16 years, looked dazed, confused and worn out and claimed to be waiting for someone to come and collect them. Unfortunately, no one ever came to collect them.
It only later emerged that they were victims of human trafficking who had been lured from Tanzania on the promise that they would get plum jobs in Kenya.

The girls painfully narrated what had befallen them and how their host had vanished after learning they had been found out. She chickened out after realising she would be arrested.
Luckily, the girls were later ferried back to Tanga after interventions from various human rights agencies.

Although this group was lucky, many other victims of human trafficking in Kenya have not been as lucky.

One such unlucky victim is 11-year-old Martin who is now in an unfamiliar territory after he was brought into the country a month ago on the promise that he would get better education.

Cruel treatment

He, however, landed in the hands of a cruel guardian who subjected him to torture and abuse. He would wake him up by 4am to wash clothes before going to school on an empty stomach.

From school, he would return home to do domestic chores until late in the night. Luckily, a Good Samaritan rescued him and he is currently housed at a children’s home in Mombasa.

Martin is one among a growing number of children, women and men who are being lured by promises of education or employment only to be enslaved as domestic workers in an emerging trend of human trafficking. The victims, mostly from upcountry and outside the country are promised better lives by traffickers but end up confined under difficult conditions to work for little or no pay.

Some are employed in massage parlours where they work as prostitutes.

So rampant is the practice that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is calling for enactment of an anti-human trafficking legislation to curb the vice.

"Human trafficking is on the increase in Kenya. Vulnerable young women, children and men are caught between more favourable conditions for traffickers recruiting victims and a lack of proper legislation,’’ says Tal Raviv, IOM’s Regional Program Development Officer.

The Kenyan coast has been identified as being a notorious transit point for traffickers where children work as prostitutes and beach boys.

The victims are trapped within three trafficking routes. These are: Mombasa-Diani-Shimoni, Mombasa-Mtwapa-Malindi and Mombasa-Mariakani-Voi.

Police officers at the Coast Province guard suspected victims of human trafficking who were apprehended in Mombasa. Photos: Maarufu Mohamed/Standard

Mr Paul Adhoch, the Executive Director of Trace, a counter trafficking organisation based in Mombasa, says most of the victims are school dropouts.

He says that early marriages have also turned into a form of common trafficking in the area and other parts of the country.

"Parents marry off their young children to benefit from the proceeds given as dowry," he says. "This is human trafficking."

Investigations have established that trafficking is now being extended to smaller towns like Samburu, Makueni, Marereni and Ukambani due to famine and poverty.

Other places include areas where victims of the post election skirmishes have pitched tents.

"Unscrupulous people go to these areas and try to provide alternatives for the victims hence trafficking them," says Mr Japheth Kasimbu, IOM counter-trafficking officer.

But Adhoch says that 6,000 to 9,000 people are trafficked annually in Coast Province with a third of them being children.

"Mombasa is a source, destination and route of trafficking. Individuals, especially girls from as far as Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo come to Kenya with hopes of linking up with rich tourists but some of them unfortunately turn them into sex slaves," he says.
He cites Mtwapa and Diani as areas where most victims are exploited.

Transit route

"Eighty per cent of the businesses in these areas thrive because of commercial sex workers. Most of those involved are adults who were willing to get good jobs but ended up being trafficked for such purposes," Adhoch notes.

However, other victims of trafficking and smuggling use Mombasa as a transit route. "They come from Asia and Pakistani through the town and learn Kiswahili. They then work for other Asians and then head to Canada and other European nations," he adds.

In August this year, a Mombasa court jailed a woman for three years after she was found guilty of human trafficking related case.

The woman was part of a group of people who had ferried 12 children from Nairobi to Mombasa promising them a fascinating holiday. However, on arrival at Mombasa, police intervened and rescued the children.

The Mombasa District Children’s Officer Ms Rose Mumo says trafficking is difficult to detect since it is done in secret and some victims cooperate with traffickers.

She says some long distance truck drivers plying the Malaba, Kisumu, Eldoret route exchange sexual favours with young girls aged between 12 and 15 years so that they ferry them to Mombasa. "They drop them at Jomvu area after having sexual adventures with them," she says.

According to Tanzania’s Anti-Trafficking Unit, traffickers mostly use two routes to ferry the human cargo. The first route is Shimoni in Mombasa to Pemba, Pangani in Tanzania then to Mozambique before going to South Africa. The other route is Shimoni, Bagamoyo, Mtwara in Tanzania, Mozambique and finally to South Africa.

According to an officer at African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANNAPCAN), an organisation that helps victims of cross-border trafficking at Tarakea, on the Kenya-Tanzania border, trafficking is caused by unemployment.

Most of those who are trafficked between Kenya and Tanzania are in search of greener pastures. The officer says both Kenya and Tanzania have porous borders, which provide great opportunities for human trafficking and smuggling. "There is a big problem among the police in both countries. They cannot distinguish between domestic trafficking, which is perceived to be normal, and international trafficking, which is criminalised but no prosecutions have been effected so far for lack of laws," he says.
He identifies domestic servitude, street vending, agricultural labour, herding and sexual exploitation as some of the jobs for which children are trafficked in the country.

Kasimbu says brothels and massage parlours are some of the destinations for the women victims of trafficking.

"Brothels and massage parlours have turned to be exploitation dens for foreign young women. Victims are trafficked from Rwanda, Democratic republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda and Somalia and are coerced to work in these establishments, increasing their vulnerability to sexual exploitation or forced into prostitution," he says.

Destination for victims

He adds that some dubious employment agencies also perpetuate trafficking of Kenyan nationals to the Middle East, Western Europe and the USA.

In November 2008, police smashed a syndicate in Nairobi and rescued 76 women who were being trafficked to Saudi Arabia. The women had been given money to cater for their medical tests and for visas.

These women mainly from Coast, Central and Western provinces had converted to Islam. Ironically, although they were rescued the women were angry with the police for denying them an opportunity to travel abroad where they had hoped to get employment.

Mr Kasimbu advises job seekers to always confirm with the Ministry of Labour whether they are dealing with dubious or genuine employment agencies.


Coast Provincial Police Boss, Leo Nyongesa, said no formal complaints have ever been reported about the vice in the region.
"As much as human trafficking is a serious offence, we cannot act on hearsay. But we are always ready to investigate and act against such offences," he said....(And I say this is very disturbing how can you say that you cannot act on hearsay...while you can see with your own eyes? young children in sex and human trafficking? how do you gamble with life? how can you be on your right mind and see 10 yrs --16 yrs old confused and dazed and still say you cannot act on it? this are the children of the world and we the Global humanity family will make sure you act! most of this children are running away from cruel cultures like FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION and EARLY MARRIAGES...for the boys they run away with their sisters to protect them and away from being bundled all homestead responsiblities as the man or child labour...we should honor all children boys and girls give them equal opportunities and love them the same as a mother of both sexes I cannot choose my daughter over my son!! it is high time we protect all children fight for their rights and keep them away from this cannibals! someone very close to e run away from the village at a very tender age and fall into this cannibals arms promised a job and education but it was sex slavery...it hurts to know some human are no human at all,

Ambassador Lucy .s .Mashua President of Mashua's voice for the voiceless International

Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy
The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.
And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Sunday, December 13, 2009

THE FOUR TYPES OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

TYPE I This is the most common form of Female Genital Mutilation. The clitoris is held between the thumb and index finger and then pulled out and amputated with one stroke of a sharp object. The bleeding is stopped by packing the wound with gauze. A pressure bandage is then applied. Modern trained practitioners may insert one or two stitches around the clitoral artery to stop bleeding.
TYPE II The degree of severity varies a lot in this type. The clitoris is amputated as in Type I. The Labia Minora are partially or totally removed, often with the same stroke. The bleeding is stopped with packing and bandages or by by by circular stitches that may or may not cover the urethra and part of the vaginal opening. Types I and II account for 85% of all Female Genital Mutilation.
TYPE III An extensive amount of tissue is removed. This is the most extreme form. It involves a complete removal of the clitoris and labia minor along with the inner surface of the labia majora. The raw edges of the labia majora are brought together to fuse. Thorns, poultices or stitching are used to hold them together for two to six weeks. The healed scar creates a hood of skin that covers the urethra and part or most of the vagina. This acts as a physical barrier to intercourse. A small opening is left at the back to allow the flow of urine and menstrual blood. The opening is surrounded by skin and scar tissue. It is usually 2 to 3cm in diameter and may be as small as the head of a matchstick.
TYPE IV This type is unclassified and deals with a variety of procedures. (1) Pricking, piercing, stretching or an incision of the clitoris and/or the labia. (2) Cauterization by burning the clitoris and surrounding tissues. (3) An incision is made to the vaginal wall. (4) Scraping or cutting of the the vagina. (5) An introduction of corrosive substances or herbs into the vagina. Some of these procedures often result in vesicovaginal fistulae and damage to the anal sphincter.
THE HARMFUL PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

Female Genital Mutilation does irreparable harm. It can result in death through severe bleeding leading to hemorrhagic shock, neurogenic shock as a result of pain and trauma and severe, overwhelming infection and septicemia. Female Genital Mutilation is routinely traumatic. Many girls enter a state of shock that is induced by severe pain, psychological trauma and exhaustion from screaming.

Other harmful physical effects include failure to heal, abscess formation, cysts, excessive growth of scar tissue, urinary tract infection, painful sexual intercourse, increased susceptibility to HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases, reproductive tract infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, painful menstruation, chronic urinary tract obstruction, bladder stones, urinary incontinence, obstructed labor, increased risk of bleeding and infection during child birth.
Regardless of the type FGM is a living nightmare and survivors are dead people walking..thanks for reading.. become a fan today or follow us on twitter

Ambassador Lucy .s .Mashua President of Mashua's voice for the voiceless International
Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy
The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.
And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Reaserch by Rachel Tengbom of Mashua against Fgm facebook and Lucy Mashua http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415?ref=share

Saving Maasai the Girl Child From FGM - Activism Does Work!


Saving Maasai the Girl Child From FGM - Activism Does Work!


Society & Culture (tags: FGM, girls, abuse, abuse, activists, children, child, culture,death, ethics, humans, rights, women, violence )
Lauren - 2 hours ago - youtube.com
Parents, teachers and teenage girls held a candlelight vigil in Loitoktok, hoping to light up the darkness of cultural attitudes towards a traditional practice that is both physically and mentally hurting young Maasai girls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETYpewWBXqg&feature=player_embedded
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Comments

Lauren Stone(579)
Saturday December 12, 2009, 9:49 pm
Mashua Against FGM Atlast I have support from home my own village where I was born where 95% of Maasai girls are mutilated ... due to our 3 days of sending the emails so far 25 girls are safe in my big village alone and teachers both male and female are supporting our efforts! WHO SAID IT CANNOT BE DONE? look only 3 days of sending Email...s!! O.M.G it is possible and it began in my own barkyard my home sweet home... NEVER EVER UNDERMINE THE POWER OF COMPASSION PEOPLE ! we deed it news streaming in so far 40 in west pokot and staying with the nuns O.MG we did it! we have more to save keep sending those emails so far 62,000 emails sent... oooh yes we are going to kick FGM A**S out of this world lets all burn the candle of HOPE! awwwww thankyou for the high contribution research by David Kimani Manjau Mashua voice for the voiceless, and my Maasai sister Rachael Tengbong of Mashua Against FGM Facebook Foundation, Thanks to my sister Lauren Stone who stayed up with me drafting the letters, Thanks to Hans Lak for being a visionary.... O.M.G we did it our way of approaching this cruelity paid off! I am now receiving support from people who once hated me....You my humanity global family made it happen!





Lauren Stone(579)
Saturday December 12, 2009, 9:49 pm
Tears of joy are rolling down my face Dear Heart! I am so happy that people are speaking out and others are listening. Bless those girls who have been saved this year. Hopefully the number will continue to grow. We must fight to keep them safe in years to come.
Oh how wonderful it feels to cry out of happiness instead of despare! When people work together miracles really can happen.
I am so grateful for all the people from all over the world who stepped up and have been helping with this campaign.
This was not even a well planned or advanced campaign. Lucy and I were talking and crying and I started ... See Moredrafting what at first was to be a petition. We realized that there was no time for that and it changed to the current letter campaign.
Just think what we can accomplish with advanced planning!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Alarm as half of women with HIV abused Research by David Kimani Manjau

Alarm as half of women with HIV abused

http://www.nation.co.ke/image/view/-/598/data/43/-/uvxjyc/-/ico_plus.png

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Participants from around the world follow proceedings at Silver Springs hotel, Nairobi, December 07, 2009 during a workshop on  International Donor Conference on HIV and Gender-based violence.

Participants from around the world follow proceedings at Silver Springs hotel, Nairobi, December 07, 2009 during a workshop on International Donor Conference on HIV and Gender-based violence. Half of Kenyan women living with HIV/Aids have been physically abused in the past year, according to a new study that highlights the worrisome link between the scourge and violence against women.

Half of Kenyan women living with HIV/Aids have been physically abused in the past year, according to a new study that highlights the worrisome link between the scourge and violence against women.

At least one in two of the victims interviewed said they had been slapped or shoved, 40 per cent had been kicked or beaten, 36 per cent had been hit with an object while 31 per cent had been threatened by use of a knife or a weapon.

“These results are indicative of high levels of physical violence against women by their partners ... the consequence ranges from pain to death,” says Linkages between Violence against Women and HIV/AIDS among Wofak Beneficiaries, a report prepared by Dr Mumbi Machera for Women Fighting Aids in Kenya (Wofak) and ActionAid International Kenya, and which was published this week.

The study was carried out in Nyanza, Coast, Western and Nairobi provinces.

“Rape and sexual exploitation are prevalent in all the study areas. It is also evident that violence is common among adolescent girls. Aids orphans, especially young girls are at a higher risk of forced marriage.”

Guardians force girls into marriage to shove responsibility to the husband. These girls risk mistreatment and other forms of violence, including rape. This increases their vulnerability to HIV infection, the report indicates.

Physical abuse apart, the incidence of psychological, economic and cultural trauma is much more worrying.

Social isolation

Nearly nine in ten of women with HIV face social isolation or have been denied basic rights, such as food and medical care. They also risk being evicted out of their homes or denied employment.

“We found that women who disclose their HIV status face mistreatment by their husband’s relatives. Most widows face the risk of being disinherited by relatives. For women in rural areas like Bumala, cases of property rights abuse are common. Women are often chased out of their matrimonial homes as soon as the husband dies.”

However, the study further established that the victims of violence are reluctant to talk about their experiences or even negotiate for better medical attention.

Research by Nation newspaper in Kenya
and in the US Research by David Kimani Manjau.

I would like to add that most men despite of being infected with Hiv they will never use condoms on their uninfected wives if the women refuse they are beaten and sexually abused, this is what I call pre meditated murder! Women need to be respected and listened to we always make sense on what we say, I ask all men to support women in your lives, I hope it is not too much to ask thank you!

Ambassador Lucy .s .Mashua President of Mashua's voice for the voiceless International
Assisting refugees in the US and representation in advocasy
The Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and standing up for Women’s Rights.
And the Chairperson of a worldwide campaign against FGM.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

Thursday, December 10, 2009

URGENT PLEASE SAVE A GIRL...A CALL TO ACTION


Focus:Children
Action Request:Write E-Mail
Location:United States

URGENT APPEAL. Please sign, copy and paste the letter below and email to the listed addresses. Please share far and wide. Also if you can think of other agencies or people who might be able to give assistance with this URGENT CAMPAIGN, please list them here.
Peace and Bright Blessings...


10 December 2009

Kenya ratified the UN Convention on the rights of the child on 31 July 1990. Kenya has also ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and other international instruments that generally affect the rights of the child such as the International Bill of Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Kenya ratified the Convention
against Torture on 21 February 1997.

Last week in the North Rift region of Kenya, two pregnant girls were forcefully circumcised in Pokot Central District as the season for the rite got under way.
According to the chairperson of Setat Women Organization, Ms Lilian Plapan, the girls aged 15 and 16 years were circumcised during the weekend in Kaptabuk village in preparation for their forced marriages.

Some 140 under-age girls have been circumcised in the larger West Pokot District since the season started last week. Anti-FGM crusaders have reported that 30 girls have been circumcised in Kapenguria and Kong’elai, 48 in Alale and Kiwawa, and 66 in Chesegon and Sigor.

In a related development, an organization that fights the practice of FGM has written to the United Nations to ask them to force the government to intervene and save over 350 girls expected to undergo Female Genital Mutilation in North Rift this season.

The executive director of the Inter-African Committee (IAC) on traditional practices, Ms Berhane Ras-Work, said the State should take action against circumcisers. “By this letter, we would like to appeal to you to stop this gruesome ritual,” she said.

The former Kenyan minister of Gender Alicen Chelaite told the Global Ambassador for fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Lucy Mashua on phone 10 December 2009, that “if the West will intervene, the Kenyan Government can STOP FGM.”

Human Rights Day is December 10th. Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay calls on individuals worldwide to make an extra effort to tackle discrimination starting from their own homes and workplaces. “Complacency is discrimination’s best friend,” said human rights chief Navi Pillay.

As a concerned world citizen, I plead with you not to be complacent, but to intervene on the behalf of these innocent children. This practice is a clear violation of the human rights of the victims. It is furthermore torture, discrimination against girls and women and a violation of the UN convention on the rights of the child. The time is now to speak out and take action to spare the lives of these young girls.

Sincerely,


International Court of Justice - The Hague mail@icj-cij.org

unicefinfo@unicef.org

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) nationalinstitutions@ohchr.org

White House contact form, cut & paste http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton join our discussion group on U.S department Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=15877306073&topic=12171

and join our Fan page too http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM/225406701415

follow us on twitter as well..http://twitter.com/Mashua

Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs Kenya
Hon. Esther Murugi Mathenge, M.P.
P.O. box 46849-00100
Nairobi. KENYA

ps@gender.go.ke (Permanent Secretary)

Happy new year 2010 a year closer to the end of FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION