Research on Human Trafficking in Mali
The main objective of this study, which is also part of the Malian National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2018-2022), is to establish an inventory of human trafficking in Mali. This study is the result of a qualitative approach and has made it possible, through interviews and focus groups to identify the causes and characteristics of the various forms of trafficking in Mali.
Results
The study was able to bring out the following results:
- There are still many challenges at the national level in the fight against human trafficking. Due to a lack of trust in the authorities, few victims wish to file complaints and many cases are filed without follow-up. In addition, prosecutors rarely include the offence of trafficking when referring cases to courts.
- The most commonly reported forms of trafficking in Mali are forced child labor in domestic activities and mining sites, exploitation of child begging, sexual exploitation and forced prostitution of women and girls, and descent-based slavery. The current conflict and humanitarian crisis has also generated new forms of trafficking, namely the exploitation of children by armed groups.