Traffick Watch

Zimbabwe is grappling with the challenge of human trafficking with thousands of women, men and children in both home soil and foreign lands being exploited. Zimbabwe is a source, transit point and destination for human trafficking. Detailed information on human trafficking in Zimbabwe are largely unavailable owing to the nature of the crime and poor statistics and research. Despite the absence of key data on prevalence trends, it is acceded that Zimbabwe is one of the countries heavily affected by human trafficking. The magnitude of the problem was amplified from 2017 when scores of women exploited in Kuwait and Oman as domestic maids began crying out for help. Human trafficking in Zimbabwe is both a transnational and domestic crime. With Zimbabwe facing an economic downturn that has prolonged, multitudes of women, men and children seeking better livelihoods have been snared into the highly secretive and clandestine trade and many remain in suffering. While the crime is rife, knowledge and information on human trafficking is very limited in the country.  Despite the country making key progress by acceding to the Palermo Protocol through the enactment of the Trafficking In Persons Act (Chapter 9:25) (TIP Act) in June 2014 and the subsequent constitution of the Anti-Trafficking Inter Ministerial Committee, and the recent launch of The Zimbabwe Trafficking in Persons National Plan of Action (NAPLAC) 2023-2028 Zimbabwe in 2024 has been downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List which defines the country's efforts to curtailing trafficking as inadequate. The Report notes that the Government of Zimbabwe does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. Among the critical areas that require the country to improve is implementation of the National Plan of Action and dedication of resources to its implementation. The National Action Plan 2023-2028 sees prevention as "... one of the most important aspects of an effective anti-human trafficking response". The use of Information Education and Communication materials with anti-trafficking information is deemed a key point in the fight against human trafficking. The proposed Traffick Watch App which runs on Kotlin goes a long way in increasing the availability of information services to the nations and other key stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking. Traffick Watch will thus step up efforts in sensitizing members of the public about the dangers of human trafficking. Employing the Traffick Watch App will imply increase awareness on anti-human trafficking with the Traffick Watch App targeting everyone including the hard to reach populations in remote rural areas. Through this App we seek to empower members of the public to be able detect and report possible human trafficking cases. The Traffick Watch App will also engage with members of the public on trends, case reporting, information sharing and campaigns against human trafficking. The Traffick Watch App is the first development in the Southern African country and its availability free of data expenses makes the App user friendly and penetrating across the width and breadth of the country.

Networked technologies including social media (facebook, twitter), internet and mobile phones have altered the way people relate, communicate and pass information. As a result, with ICTs perpetrators have also exploited the anonymity of cyberspace to conceal their activities and recruit people for exploitation. Traffickers have switched to technology based platforms to recruit, move victims and transact in human beings. There is need to give people information on human trafficking and to magnify the complexity of the crime of human trafficking. To counter the greatest evil of our time we have to take our fight to the platforms. This is especially urgent given that human trafficking in Zimbabwe remain the greatest risk for many Zimbabweans eager to escape the economic comatose. A proposed mobile based app called Traffick Watch is a mobile phone based application developed to fight human trafficking in Zimbabwe. The Traffick Watch Application presents comprehensive information and education on human trafficking and modern slavery to equip individuals so that they do not fall into trafficking traps. The Traffick Watch App is a multi-faceted application that combines resources on human trafficking and also act as a hotline for informers to share possible tips on potential human trafficking scenarios in a secure and relaxed environment. The application provides signs and symptoms of trapping systems and also highlights reporting mechanisms. The Traffick Watch App has the advantage that it is accessed on the go by users. The App also provides the risks and hazards of using social media especially with technology savvy young users. This App offers ready on the dial immediate helpers whom the user can contact and call in emergencies thereby offering collaborative efforts of different organizations. In addition, the application details who the potential traffickers to quash the issue of trusted relations. The Application also shares real life stories premised on the experiences of survivors who remain anonymous. The ability of the App to engage with users on a free of charge basis makes its embrace likely high as costs that are normally inhibitive are reduced. The Application is premised on prevention work and leverages on mobile connectivity to educate the people about human trafficking. This Traffick Watch App which runs on Kotlin is an urgent intervention in terms of reach as we believe that without it the level of exploitation would be enormous.  

Human trafficking is a widespread lucrative yet hidden crime and often a dangerous one when the identity of the whistle blower is known. It is important that ethical considerations be made in the use of the technology to counter trafficking but only in the context of not compromising the safety of victims and survivors of human trafficking. While use of technology in countering human trafficking is appreciated, there is growing concern over ethical implications of digital technology so that no harm is caused in the process. During development of the application we subscribe to anti-human trafficking core principles that include do no harm, survivor centred approach and informed consent and transparency. To ensure that reporters and whistle blowers remain anonymous, Traffick Watch will be designed in such a way that it does not collect user data thus mitigating the potential risks surrounding ethical and responsible use of technology. Where real stories from survivors are used, we would ensure that we obtain written consent to use life stories to educate but ensure the identity of the survivors cannot be traced to their stories. We ensure a high degree of anonymity in the use of life stories. Furthermore, the ability of the App to employ anonymity in reporting makes it handy and assures the users that their identity will remain unknown to perpetrators and untraceable. In this regard, a live pilot test with a limited number of real end users over an extended period of time is done before deployment. Adjustments will be made based on pilot findings. In addition staff are also trained on data privacy to enhance the security of the application.  To mitigate and safeguard risks strategies such as multi-user login, discrete application icons and use of communication codes will be implemented to ring user safety. Furthermore, with this application we will create end user support which entails feedback, complaints and systems errors as well 24/7 technical support and support for editing or deleting personal data is provided. In line with international standards no data about users will be shared with external parties without the express written consent of victims and survivors. In addition, a team comprising different will be put in place to monitor safety throughout the life time of the intervention.

The Traffick Watch application is multi-faceted application targeting people of all walks of life including the vulnerable individuals in very remote areas of Zimbabwe who have challenges in accessing information and education on human trafficking. The application serves multi-pronged benefits and addresses education and emergency functions. Traffick Watch is thus an urgent mobile based application that is destined to reach more individuals and enhance the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. It serves potential victims in the whole process of trafficking from acquisition, movement and exploitation including escape and reintegration. It provides essential resources that define the crime of trafficking and modern slavery and the signs and symptoms involved as well as the characteristics and identities of traffickers. The Traffick Watch application thus seeks to fill the void of a lacuna of information on human trafficking.

The Centre for Combating Human Trafficking and its partners including Vukarhani Trust, the traditional leadership in Zimbabwe, the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the Inter-Ministerial Committee have a working relationship with various communities and have a long standing relationship spanning over five years. This warm relationship will enable us to make smooth community entry. Our team is made up of application programmers, modern slavery activists, parliamentarians and policy makers whose passion to save humanity from the jaws of exploitation is unparalleled. Our team’s proposed App has already received a thumbs-up green light as we have engaged with the Anti-Trafficking Inter-Ministerial Committee which is mandated to champion the fight against human trafficking. This therefore means that at policy level, roll out of the proposed application will receive but in and it is not going be an issue as other partners are collectively contributing information on human trafficking even during the development phase. This engagement also makes it easier to engage with various cellular service operators to ensure support for information dissemination. Positioning of some team members in the Inter-Ministerial Committee will also enhance a robust test of the application thus enabling us to work on the grey areas so that roll out will be smoother.

A prototype has been developed and is undergoing tests. It has been presented at various for a to various collaborating organizations for tests and comments. So far it has not been submitted for publishing to reach the majority of the beneficiaries. While more data and information is still being sought the framework of the application has been designed and deployed on on a mobile device. Zero beneficiaries have been served yet but tests and development are underway.

We have applied to the challenge as we note that the scourge of human trafficking is wreaking havoc across Zimbabwe and immediate action has to be taken. Zimbabwe is battling human trafficking at unprecedented levels. We cannot fold our hands in light of the suffering caused by human trafficking. Human trafficking is happening at both transnational and national levels with men, women and children heavily affected. In areas where cellular network is yet to reach this may serve as a barrier. We ride on the Zimbabwe Trafficking in Persons National Plan of Action 2023-2028 that sees prevention as one of the most important aspects of an effective anti-human trafficking response. We vouch that providing resources on human trafficking and campaigning for safe migration is key. This application realises that information and education on human trafficking has not penetrated all the corners to ensure that awareness is high. However massive expansion in network boosters is a positive sign that we anticipate will connect every corner of the country. Getting policy makers to give a listening ear to the Traffick Watch App development and embrace it would ordinarily have been a challenge however our work with the Anti-Trafficking Inter Ministerial Committee in which we sit in the committee and head research has lessened the burden and cleared the hurdle for us. In addition, the thrust by Zimbabwe's government for institutions of higher learning to go beyond teaching, research and community serve, means that we have platforms where we can take our developments for testing and refinement to ensure that the Traffick Watch App is geared to serve the country and individuals fully. Cost of the application would have been one of the barriers. However, to ensure that we reach everyone with information and education this application will be delivered free of charge. Working with traditional leadership, parliamentarians and anti-human trafficking activists will help in enabling the packaging of the material in acceptable cultural formats.

This solution is innovative in that it seeks to reach out to every person in Zimbabwe including the most vulnerable community of our society with information and education that is key to avoiding being trafficked. This app is designed to enhance safe migration and educate the people to avoid the pitfalls of human trafficking. Zimbabwe is one of the Southern African countries that is grappling with human trafficking as continued economic decay takes its toll on the people. Many Zimbabweans are scattered all over the world as they seek to evade the economic meltdown. The rush to escape makes Zimbabweans susceptible to exploitation. Our application is multifaceted and addresses a number of key issues. Issues that are addressed include resources on human trafficking. The application provides key materials that are used to educate and raise awareness on human trafficking. In addition, the application also details real life stories that can help individuals to learn and realize that human trafficking is real and a danger to humanity. With these resources and materials, we envisage a situation where individuals are able to provide information on human trafficking in the safety of their communities thereby impacting on safe migration. Use of cellular services enables humanity to penetrate areas where ordinarily television and radio network are poor thus living the adage leaving no place behind. Furthermore, this application is also inventive in the sense that it also captures a preventive arm by providing a platform for reporting possible human trafficking in an anonymous way.For low performing environments that are grappling with network penetration and use of technology gadgets, this Traffick Watch application represents a very positive step in fighting human trafficking. In an environment where communication channels are limited and where radio and television signals are often a challenge this application also represents the best way to share information with communities so as to sensitize and prepare them to deal with the scourge of human trafficking.

Our Traffick Watch Application is built on the theory of change that observes that increased awareness and education will result in increased knowledge which will impact on people’s attitudes and beliefs. This model believes that a positive impact of attitudes and beliefs will result in a positive change of behaviour. This model identifies some key elements of behaviour among potential victims and survivors of human trafficking that shape individuals’ potential to change. The application identifies key behavioural variables that have to be impacted for potential victims and survivors to change behaviour. These include the issue of threat, fear, response efficacy and self-efficacy, attitudes, barriers, intentions and reactance. In this model we suggest that to embrace safe migration behaviour is determined by an individual’s knowledge and education about human trafficking. In addition, individuals’ behaviour is also shaped by the real life stories shared on the application by survivors of human trafficking. This shapes the person’s attitude (beliefs and values about the outcome of the behaviour in this case falling into trafficking rings) and subjective norms (beliefs about what other people think the person should do or general social pressure). Increased knowledge among migrants and safe migration behaviour are key outputs built on the strength of the availability of knowledge on human trafficking and information awareness. We note that people’s behaviour (to migrate or not and to see a situation as a potential trafficking ring) is also determined by an individual’s perceived behavioural control, defined as an individual’s perceptions of their ability or feelings of self-efficacy to perform behaviour. This relationship is typically dependent on the type of relationship and the nature of the situation. Thus people’s behaviour on human trafficking is driven by knowledge and increased awareness including inner forces and by external factors. We note that increased knowledge and awareness will result in low risk behaviour among potential migrants and survivors. Personal factors (knowledge, attitudes, values and beliefs) interact with environmental factors (external factors) to shape people’s potential to engage in risky migratory behaviour.

Our impact goals include the drive to record declining incidences of child labour and modern slavery in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, to measure our impact we will also have goals on increased prosecution and conviction rates for human traffickers in Zimbabwe so that deterrent sentences are given which serve as warnings to would be traffickers. In addition, increased dissemination of information, education and communication materials to communities that will result in a huge base of knowledge and reduced risky behaviour. Furthermore, will report a decrease in gross human rights violations in community to ensure an end to exploitation. This will also be premised on increased knowledge and awareness among stakeholders and stalk holders and duty bearers to ensure effective policy on human trafficking. This has the potential to see increased debates on human trafficking in August house and a revision of the Trafficking In Persons Law of 2014 especially the definition of human trafficking in Zimbabwe that currently limits human trafficking in Zimbabwe as a movement crime. Furthermore, increased number of people who are connecting on digital and technological devices to share information on human trafficking and modern slavery. Furthermore, another key measure will be increased better coordination between government and stakeholders on tackling human trafficking.

Our technology is powered by Kotlin. Kotlin is a multi-faceted modern programming language that combines the best features of functional and object-oriented programming. It is an open source designed to be fully interoperable with Java. It aims to provide a more concise and expressive syntax than Java, which can lead to fewer lines of code and, consequently, fewer bugs. In a low economy like ours, the availability of Kotlin across platforms provides an advantage. Kotlin represents an alternative to Java; they both target the same JVM and can safely coexist in the same application. Kotlin is also known to solve several known limitations of Java. These include development effectiveness, maintainability, and ease of development. Kotlin focuses on interoperability, safety, clarity, and tooling support. In addition, Kotlin is known to impose no runtime overhead and adopting Kotlin is pretty easy and hassle-free. Kotlin suits for the multi-platform development which is consistent with our intentions for Traffick Watch application. Kotlin is also highly compatible with Java. Our Traffick Watch application is premised on addressing a lack of knowledge and information on human trafficking. With increased knowledge and awareness, it results in reduced risky migratory tendencies among migrants.

To ascertain the efficacy of our developed application, we have led trials and tests which currently are yielding positive results. While the application is still at incubation, we have recorded very promising results in terms of providing access to resources on human trafficking. Considerable attention and progress has also been noted in anonymous filing of reports and intelligence though this is still work in progress. We have noted that Kotlin has since become popular for Android app development and big firms like Google has officially supported it for this purpose. It can be compiled to Java bytecode, JavaScript, or native binaries, making it versatile for different platforms. In addition, the use of technology generally to develop applications especially information and awareness raising applications have been proven beyond doubt and these have been tried on other environments. However, our application is very specific to our needs as it addresses a lacuna of knowledge and awareness on human trafficking. This application also builds on cellular network connectivity in an environment where cellular penetration is building.

David Makwerere

Courage Munopaishe Nyoni

Judith Mwenje

Gerald Johnson Shirichena

Charisma Gibson Nyoni

2 years

We are a team of six individuals that comprises a fine blend of skills attributes necessary for the effective and successful execution of the development of the application. Our team is as gender-sensitive as it is culturally competent. The team comprises four gentlemen and two ladies and they all bring a wealth of experience in technology application development and anti-trafficking work. Two of the members have got vast experience relating to programming of anti-human trafficking interventions as they head the Centre for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT) at Bindura University of Science Education which now also sits in the government initiated Anti Trafficking Inter-Ministerial Committee and are responsible for research and documentation.  Chamunogwa, who is the team leader, is an educator, counsellor,director of the Centre for Combating Human Trafficking organisational development, and anti-trafficking activist specialist well-read and groomed in research with more than 15 years’ experience. He has done a lot of national and regional work with various anti-trafficking organisations. Gillian is an accomplished capacity building specialist with a fine eye on gender mainstreaming. She is vastly experienced working with women and marginalized communities. Charisma is a dedicated scholar and practitioner with qualifications in application development, combating child labour, and human trafficking while Courage leads the application development in this and other within the Centre for Combating Human Trafficking at Bindura University of Science Education. Judith leads our business development portfolio and brings in a robust way in resource mobilization. The team has previously worked together before and thus bringing cohesion and efficiency.

Our business model is premised on the realization that human trafficking thrives on exploiting the poor and marginalized. To ask them to poor will amount to keeping them under the snare of human trafficking. Resultantly we will continue with our established fundraising efforts that include running our dedicated bead work and bee keeping enterprises with survivors of human trafficking to fund these critical activities of the Centre that seek to bring education and awareness resources to the people. Running this type of a model will ensure that information on human trafficking reaches everyone without discrimination. The impact will be eventful as all people are assured to get information. Our beneficiaries are individuals across the width and breadth of Zimbabwe. We provide a critical mass of resources in terms of human trafficking education materials including relevant signs and characteristics of traffickers. In addition we also provide a platform to share anonymously potential trafficking incidences so that interception can be done. Our application realizes that prevention is very key as it is cheaper to prevent than rehabilitate a survivor of human trafficking. Our application thus is cost free and rides on the availability and penetration of cellular network in communities. It also recognizes the critical role of champions that provide instant reaction when they receive reported messages. This application that appeals to peoples collective conscience can bring the desired change in the fight against human trafficking.

Our plans to fund our work include acquisition of competitive grants that have resulted in a swab of information based on research done. In addition the Centre continually generates operational money from sales from their livelihood business model run through bee keeping and bead work. We hope to further explore ways that can ensure that we are almost self sufficient but we will not renege and turn the development of the application into a cost making paid venture as this will defeat the cause to disseminate information without segregation.