As young women in southern Africa continue to fall prey to fake casting calls and fraudulent online job offers, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) says it is stepping up measures to protect vulnerable women and girls from exploitation, including cross-border human trafficking.
In recent months, South African media have reported numerous cases of young women being lured by promises of modelling and job opportunities abroad, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative situations.
Zimbabwe has not been immune.
According to Letitia Moyo, director of complaints handling and investigations and acting CEO of the ZGC, the country has seen a “rise in cases of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, also known as online GBV.
To respond to these emerging threats, the ZGC, in partnership with the German development agency GIZ, developed a Digital Safety and Dignity Toolkit to prevent online GBV.
“We are also working closely with international partners and embassies to monitor cross-border human trafficking, a risk many young women face when pursuing fraudulent job offers abroad,” Moyo said.
Zimbabwe faces a particular challenge due to high youth unemployment and economic desperation, which can make young women more susceptible to online recruiters.
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“We need to ensure that our young women are protected both locally and when they seek opportunities abroad,” she said.
“The challenge is ongoing but with strengthened laws, public awareness, and international cooperation, we can reduce the risks posed by online job scams and human trafficking networks targeting our young women.”
