View/Open - Unisa

157 Pages·2012·0.55 MB·English

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXPRIENCES OF FEMALE VICTIMS OF
TRAFFICKING IN ETHIOPIA

by

ASEFACH HAILESELASSIE REDA

submitted in accordance with the requirements for
the degree of

MASTERS OF ARTS
in the subject

PSYCHOLGY
at the

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUPERVISOR: Dr. MAPULA MOJAPELO –BATKA
JOINT SUPPERVISOR: PROF P. KRUGER

JUNE 2012
ii

DECLARATION
Student Number: 4400-247-5

I declare that AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXPRIENCES OF
FEMALE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING IN ETHIOPIA is my own work,
and that all sources that have been used or quoted have been indicated and
acknowledged through complete references.
iii

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to tell the story of female victims of human trafficking from
Ethiopia. It pertains to the cause of trafficking and how it affects their social and emotional
wellbeing. The study is conducted in light of constructivist framework and involves in-depth
interviews with five returnees whose experiences as victims are explored. This is done to get
insight into the challenges faced by the wider population. Themes evident in the stories are
discussed in line with relevant literature. The study shows lack of job opportunities, limited
income and false promises made by brokers as the major factors drawing women into human

trafficking. The findings also show that even after return, the victims experience further
difficulties due to post-traumatic psychological factors. Looking at the significance of the
research outcome, the gleaned information could be of value for organizations working on
migration and countering human trafficking.

Keywords: Female, Human trafficking, Migration, Migrant workers, Psychosocial and
victims of trafficking.
iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I wish to thank God for giving me the strength to undertake this study. I am
sincerely grateful to my supervisors Dr Mapula Mojapelo Batka and joint supervisor,
Professor P. Kruger, University of South Africa (UNISA), Department of Psychology, for
their continuous support and guidance throughout my study. I would also like to express
my deepest gratitude to Prof. Habtamu Wondimu for his enriching support and
encouragement since the initial development of my research proposal.
My sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Charles A. Kwenin and to the staff of
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Counter Trafficking Unit, for their
cooperation and support. My deepest appreciation goes to MoFA staff in the Community
Service and Support department for providing valuable information. My deepest gratitude
goes to Abebe Haile, MoLSA, Employment Service Promotion Directorate, for his
cooperation and assistance.
I would also like to acknowledge Rakeb Mesele, Blen Asemrie and Yohannes Tekle
for their enlightening discourse and advice during the study. I am particularly thankful to
my family, friends and everyone who has made my life easier in some way, enabling me
to pursue my study. A special thanks also goes to the women who participated in this
study: I appreciate their willingness and openness in sharing their personal experiences
and stories with me.
v

DEDICATION

This study is dedicated to all trafficking victims.
In memory of my mother Zewditu; without her dedication I would not have been where I
am today. She inspired me and taught me what it means to love and care for others.
vi

ACRONYMS

CCFDRE: Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
CRC: Convention on the Rights of the Child
DICAC: Development Inter Church Aid Commission
EOC: Ethiopian Orthodox Church
EWLA: Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association
FDRE: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
FSCE: Forum for Street Children Ethiopia
GEA: Gemenaye Ethiopia Association
GTZ: Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit
HRW: Human Rights Watch
ILO: International Labor Organization
IOM: International Organization for Migration
IOM/SLM: International Organization for Migration Special Liaison Mission
Addis Ababa
MCDP: Multi Purpose Development Program / Current name: MCD- Mission for
Community Development /
MoFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MoLSA: Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
NGOs: Non-Governmental Organizations
PCI: Project Concern International
PEAP: Private Employment Agency Proclamation
RRAD: Refugees and Returnee Affairs Department
vii

TIP: Trafficking In Persons
TTTM: Tsotawi Tekat Tekelakay Mahber, recently named ‘Association for Women’s
Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD)
UN: United Nations
UAE: United Arab Emirates
UNICEF: United Nations Children’s Fund
UN CE DAW: Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
Against Women
UN RMWF: UN International Convention on the Right of Migrant Workers and their
Families
UNWW: United Nations Women Watch
US State Department: United States State Department
viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Declaration ii
Abstract iii
Acknowledgment iv
Dedication v
Acronyms vi
Acronyms vii
Table of Contents viii
CHAPTER 1: RATIONAL OF THE STUDY 1

1.1.Statement of the Problem 1
1.2. Objective of the Study 3
1.2.1. General Objective 3
1.2.2. Specific Objectives 4
1.3. Significance of the Study 5
1.4. Limitation and Scope of the Study 6
1.5. Overview of Chapters 7
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 9
2.1. Definition of Terms 10
2.1.1. Human Trafficking, Definition and Overview 11
2.1.2. Distinction between Trafficking and Smuggling 15
2.2. Historical Development of Human Trafficking 16
2.3. Global Overview of Trafficking 19
2.3.1. Trafficking of Women and Children 20
ix

2.4. Trafficking in Ethiopia 20
2.4.1. Internal Trafficking 22
2.4.2. External Trafficking 22
2.4.3. Recruitment, Transportation and Trafficking Routs 24
2.5. Causative Factors of Trafficking 25
2.5.1. Push Factors 25
2.5.2. Pull Factors 27
2.6. Consequences of Trafficking 27
2.6.1. Abuse and Exploitation 28
2.6.2. Dehumanize Women and Young Girls 28
2.6.3. Physical and Psychosocial Health 28
2.7. International and National Instruments and Efforts to Combat Trafficking 29
2.7.1. International Instruments 29
2.7.2. National Instruments 30
2.7.2.1. The Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 30
2.7.2.2. The Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia 31
2.7.2.3. The Private Employment Agency Proclamation, 1998 32
2.7.3. National Efforts to Combat Trafficking 34
2.8. Conclusion 37
CHAPTER 3: METHOD 38
3.1. Definition of Constructivism 38
3.2. Theory of Constructivism 39
3.3. The Core Assumption of Constructivist Epistemology 39
3.4. Conclusion 40
x

3.5. Methodology and Design 40
3.6. Source of Data 41
3.6.1. Interview Guide 41
3.6.2. Validation of Interview Schedule 43
3.7. Sampling 43
3.8. Data Collection 45
3.8.1. Ethical Considerations 46
3.9. Data Processing and Analysis 47
3.9.1. Data Interpretation Approach 48
3.10. Conclusion 48
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 49
4.1. Case Study One 49
4.2. Case Study Two 54
4.3. Case Study Three 57
4.4. Case Study Four 60
4.5. Case Study Five 63
4.6. Categories for Analysis 66
4.6.1. Reason for Leaving 67
4.6.1.1. Plans and Expectations 67
4.6.1.2. Decision-making and the Role of Others 68
4.6.2. Recruitment and Travel Arrangement 69
4.6.2.1. Means of Contact with Brokers 69
4.6.2.2. Negotiation with Brokers 70
4.6.3. Travel, Arrival and Means of Placement 71