ESF PROPOSAL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000123

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR G/TIP, AF/S
USAID FOR AFR/SA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN KCRM PHUM ASEC EAID ELAB PREL SMIG MI

SUBJECT: ESF PROPOSAL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT

REF: A) STATE 221178 B) STATE 226696


1. Lilongwe submits the following proposal for funding under
ESF. This proposal is first priority, ranked above a separate
INCLE-funded proposal that is being submitted septel.
Proposal format is keyed to ref A, para 21.


A. Establishment and dissemination of information regarding
trafficking in Malawi in order to prevent TIP and rehabilitate
victims


B. USAID, and local non-governmental and faith based
organizations

- A local researcher will be engaged to conduct the research
that will provide information and basis for future work around
trafficking in persons in Malawi. High quality expertise is
available in country and research will build on efforts to
date by the Ministry of Gender, the Ministry of Home Affairs,
Malawi Human Rights Commission, and UNICEF to design a
comprehensive study of the nature of human trafficking.
- Story Workshop is an experienced USAID partner with a
history of very popular and successful radio dramas, supported
by "listener's club", that disseminate civic education
messages.
- St John's of God is a faith based organization in Mzuzu that
works with two sister organizations, one in Lilongwe and one
in Blantyre, reintegrating children who have been trafficked.


C. 18 months. This is a new project


D. Description

Objective

The objective of the proposed project is to:


1. Develop an objective quantitative and descriptive base line
regarding the scope of human trafficking in Malawi.

2. Provide information and public awareness /education
campaigns, based on the finds of the research proposed above,
on the issue of TIP and Malawi's TIP legislation (subject of
another proposal to INCLE from this post),particularly
targeting key constituencies including social workers,
teachers, health care providers, border officials, and orphan
care patrons.

3. Provide limited material assistance to key local non-
governmental organizations who facilitate the reintegration of
domestically trafficked children.

Activities


1. USAID will, through a purchase order, procure locally
available services of a researcher(s) to establish a baseline
that quantifies and describes TIP in Malawi.

2. A public information/education campaign that, in
particular, targets key constituencies will disseminate the
findings of the research proposed above and raise awareness of
the issues surrounding TIP in Malawi. This campaign will be
implemented by local NGOs supported by small grants
administered by USAID.

3. USAID will provide small grants to select Malawian FBOs
already working in the field of reintegrating domestically
trafficked children in their home communities in order to
support that service provision.

Sustainability

The activities proposed will form a foundation and basis for
future efforts to prevent trafficking in Malawi by
establishing the description and nature of trafficking and
mobilizing community awareness of the problem.


E. Justification

Malawi is rated by the US Department of State as a Tier 2
country, meaning that it does not comply with minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons.
Malawi is not in Tier 3, because it is making
"significant efforts" to bring itself into compliance with
minimum standards, but the country is seriously challenged in
offering more than lip service in terms of significant efforts
to bring itself into compliance because of its extreme
poverty.

The phenomenon of trafficking in Malawi is very poorly
documented. Donors, service providers, and the government all
know that Malawian men, women, children are trafficked for
labor, domestically and internationally, and that Malawian
women and children are trafficked in the domestic,
international, and tourism sex trade. However, actual number
of persons trafficked, methods, vulnerabilities, and
perpetrators are poorly defined. Much of the information
about trafficking in Malawi is, while credible, anecdotal in
nature. This makes addressing the problem difficult. There
is a need to objectively quantify and describe trafficking as
a first step underpinning future actions and efforts.

Malawi does not have anti-trafficking legislation, hampering
efforts of law enforcement professionals and the judiciary.
Support for the development of legislation has been requested
in a proposal to INCLE by this post. With our without that
legislation in place, the issue of trafficking needs to be the
subject a greater public awareness and information,
particularly amongst groups that might be in a position of
mitigate or prevent trafficking, including teachers, social
workers, health professionals, and civil society.


F. Performance Indicators


1. Professional study quantifying and describing the status
quo of TIP in Malawi conducted, disseminated, and being used
by social service providers and donors to inform decision
making.

2. Target groups, including social workers, teachers, health
workers, civil society, and service providers demonstrate
improved knowledge and sensitivity to TIP and TIP related
legislation.

3. 500 children reintegrated in their communities by faith-
based organizations.


G. Evaluation Plan

USAID, will facilitate the formation of a task force,
comprised of Government of Malawi, National Assembly, and
civil society stakeholders, as well as key multilateral
counterparts such as UNDP and UNICEF. The task force will
meet on a monthly basis to review progress towards the project
objective, stated above, and to determine what contributions
need/should be made by the stakeholders to review research,
plan dissemination of information efforts, and oversee small
grants program impact. The proposed task force will link to
the already established inter-ministerial anti-trafficking
committee.



H. Budget Breakout

Comprehensive Study on Nature of Malawi TIP

Local researcher 40 days @ $180/day $7,200
DSA for researcher 20 days @ $180/day 3,600
Translator 20 days @ $90/day 1,800
DSA for translator 20 days @ $180/day 2,700
Materials and printing 1,000
Transportation 1,200

Subtotal 17,500

Information and Public Awareness Campaign

4 regional workshops @ $5000 each 20,000
Radio spot design and play 30,000
Listener club follow ups 7,000
Civic ed curriculum design and delivery 10,000
Eye of the Child video production 31,000

Subtotal 98,000

Grants to FBOs for reintegration 25,000

Total 140,500



I. Type and Amount of Host Government Contribution or other
Cost Sharing


J. Proposed funding mechanisms

USAID will issue a purchase order for the research and grants
to appropriate civil society and faith-based organizations for
dissemination of information and reintegration activities.


K. Embassy point of contract

Martha Myers, USAID Democracy and Governance Team Leader


L. Other donors

Very little work on the issue of trafficking is being
undertaken in Malawi.

GILMOUR