Namibia faces challenges in fight against human trafficking: minister

WINDHOEK, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Namibia continues to face key obstacles in the fight against human trafficking, including low levels of public awareness, gaps in victim services, and unresolved socio-economic conditions, an official said on Wednesday.

During the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons commemoration in Rundu, Kavango East Region, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said many citizens still do not fully understand the nature of human trafficking, which hampers prevention and reporting efforts.

"Public awareness is still low. This limits our ability to detect and disrupt trafficking networks effectively," she said.

While shelters have been established in eight regions, Ashipala-Musavyi underscored the need to expand victim support services across the country, adding that more work is needed to ensure survivors have access to legal assistance, counseling, and reintegration support.

She said structural issues such as poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment continue to place people at risk of exploitation. "Therefore, our collective response must be robust, victim-centred, and rooted in justice and compassion."

Despite the challenges, Namibia has made progress in strengthening its national response by ratifying key international protocols and enacting the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 1 of 2018.

The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30 to raise awareness and promote international cooperation in ending human trafficking. Enditem.