On 27th May 2025 Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia), under the Comprehensive Bilateral Anti-Trafficking Project, hosted a capacity-building workshop for legal aid service providers. The workshop aimed to raise awareness and strengthen participants’ ability to understand the different forms, impacts, and legal implications of human trafficking. The goal was to equip participants with the knowledge they need to identify, report, and support suspected victims of trafficking in persons.
UP Zambia is part of a network of Civil Society Organizations working with the grass roots to bring legal services close to the people, it is for this reason that we conducted this workshop to ensure that other service providers may join in combatting trafficking when they are capacitated.
Costain Chitombwe Outreach Officer JTIP UP Zambia
A key session was led by Mrs. Charity Alisinda Bauleni, Principal State Advocate from the Anti- Human Trafficking Department under Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security who provided an in-depth overview of the national legal framework. This included insights into the laws that criminalize human trafficking, as well as current trends and routes commonly used by traffickers operating in Zambia.
Mrs. Charity Alisinda BauleniPrincipal State Advocate
Ms. Taziona Mumba, Deputy Director of Operations for the Comprehensive Bilateral Anti-Trafficking Project (JTIP) under Save the Children, emphasized the integral role of legal aid service providers in the protection and prevention of trafficking cases—two of the four pillars upon which the JTIP initiative is built.
Taziona Mumba Deputy Director of Operations JTIP under Save the Children
“Legal aid providers are on the frontlines in the fight against human trafficking. They are instrumental in identifying victims, preparing them for court proceedings, and offering important legal support and evidence that leads to successful prosecution of traffickers,” stated Ms Mumba.
Ms Mumba highlighted that the involvement of legal aid providers directly contributes to:
- A higher number of victims being identified
- Increased prosecution success rates
- More efficient referral systems and stronger legal service linkages for JTIP victims
- Enhanced safety and legal protections for survivors Greater support to national efforts in addressing Human Trafficking.
Organizations participating in the workshop included the Legal Resources Foundation, Paralegal Network Alliance, Young Women’s Christian Association, Department of Human Trafficking, Save the Children, PRISCA, Legal Aid Clinic for Women, and the Ministry of Community Development.
Veronica Nkhata Senior Legal Officer UP Zambia
Through collaborative efforts like these, UP Zambia and its partners are reinforcing legal capacity to ensure a more effective and victim-centered response to human trafficking across the country.