How to Combat Human Trafficking on the Continent

Abstract

For decades, the international community has played significant roles in the fight against trafficking in persons (TIP). Its influence has primarily resulted in creating multiple international treaties that seek to provide guidance and leadership to member nations in the fight against trafficking in persons. The most recent treaty, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, is also referred to as the Trafficking Protocol or UN TIP Protocol. The follow-up Framework for Action to Implement the Trafficking in Persons Protocol has provided wider foci for individual nations to initiate and implement actionable strategies, including legislation, promotion of the rights of the vulnerable members of society, and the investigation, arrests, and prosecution of the perpetrators. Instruments by the international community, including the United States, have consequently served as yardsticks through which individual nations, including those on the African Continent, assess their progress in counter-trafficking initiatives. This chapter outlines the indicators of such successes, discusses varied challenges potentially thwarting growth, and recommends strategies that can enhance the fight against TIP on the African Continent.