Raising Community Awareness on Human Trafficking: A Campaign of Drama, Arts, and Games

Introduction

In a collaborative effort to address the growing concerns of human trafficking in Rwanda, Mukamira Community Based Organization (MCBO) and Never Again Rwanda (NAR) organized a community campaign in the districts of Burera and Musanze. From July 8th to 9th, 2024, this initiative used engaging methods like drama, arts, and games to educate the public on trafficking in persons (TIP), victims’ rights, and ways to prevent behaviors that contribute to victim stigmatization. The campaign drew over 200,000 participants, including citizens and local leaders, making it a significant success in the fight against human trafficking.

Key Highlights of the Campaign

The campaign kicked off with the participation of local leaders, including the executive secretaries of Cyanika (Burera) and Gataraga (Musanze) sectors. They expressed gratitude to the participants and highlighted the importance of such initiatives in raising awareness about human trafficking in their communities.

MCBO's Executive Director, Saphie Mategeko, emphasized the campaign's objective: to equip citizens with knowledge about human trafficking, its dangers, and preventive measures. The interactive nature of the event, including dialogues and games, allowed participants to engage deeply with the content, with the best participants receiving awards for their involvement.

Key Discussions

During the event, MCBO Project Officer Aime Isiaka IRADUKUNDA led a dialogue on the meaning of human trafficking, explaining how it occurs, its victims, and its consequences for society. Participants learned about Rwanda's legal framework on human trafficking, particularly from the “Official Gazette N0 39 of 24/09/2018,” which was highlighted as an essential resource for understanding the law and promoting compliance.

Additionally, discussions on preventing family conflicts were led by Neckson Kajyojye and James Byiringiro, who stressed patience, tolerance, and the role of drug prevention in maintaining family harmony.

Representatives from the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) also spoke, sharing real-life examples of human trafficking cases. They emphasized the importance of reporting crimes and avoiding complicity in human trafficking activities.

Achieved Outcomes

One significant outcome of the campaign was the increased awareness among participants, many of whom gained a better understanding of human trafficking and its differentiation from fraud. For instance, a participant named AYINKAMIYE Dorothée shared how she previously believed that women were the sole victims of human trafficking, but the campaign enlightened her on how anyone could fall prey to traffickers, including those used for forced labor.

Engagement of Women, Youth, and Special Groups

The campaign successfully engaged women, youth, and people with disabilities. Both men and women participated equally, and there were no reported challenges hindering their involvement. The youth, in particular, made meaningful contributions, helping to ensure that the campaign's objectives were fully realized.

Challenges and Mitigation Measures

The campaign faced several challenges, particularly regarding technical issues with the sound system in Gataraga, Musanze district. The limited availability of power sockets made it difficult for participants to hear the presentations clearly, and power outages further disrupted the event.

MCBO has identified ways to address these challenges for future campaigns, including using multi-sockets with longer cords and having a standby generator on-site in case of power cuts.

Lessons Learned

From the campaign, MCBO learned several valuable lessons:

• Starting activities on time is crucial for effective schedule management.
• Proper evaluation of resources, such as sound systems and power availability, ensures the smooth running of events.
• Having backup plans, including portable speakers or additional power sources, can mitigate technical difficulties.
• Collecting participant feedback after each event helps highlight areas for improvement in future campaigns.

Recommendations

Based on the campaign's outcomes and participant feedback, the following recommendations were made:

• Local leaders who were rewarded for achieving targets should share their success with their communities, as this collective effort contributed to their recognition.
• Citizens were encouraged to stay informed about human trafficking laws and contribute actively to prevention efforts.

Conclusion

The community campaign on human trafficking was a resounding success. Participants left with a deeper understanding of the issue, equipped with knowledge to prevent it in their communities. As the campaign concluded, local leaders thanked MCBO for its efforts and requested ongoing support to help shift the mindsets of citizens. Through continued collaboration, such campaigns can foster a more informed and vigilant society, working together to end human trafficking.