THE International Organisation for Migration (IOM), operating under the United Nations with mutual support from the European Union is floating a programme aimed at rescuing young girls living in harsh conditions here.

During a field trip to a humanitarian project located at the Moshono section of Baraa Ward, in the outskirts of Arusha, field officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under which the project is being executed, revealed the plight of girls being turned into domestic slaves, abducted or sexually molested, which is now a major problem in Tanzania and the rest of Africa.

Faraja Young Women Development Organisation (FAYOWODO) is one of the organisations which offer temporary residence, education and vocational training to young single mothers and girls below the age of 18 years who have suffered from early pregnancy, forced child marriages, human trafficking, poverty, abuse, and lack of education.

“Our objective is to train these young women in different vocational fields to empower them for employment and self-reliant projects,” explained Mwalimu Martina Siara, who founded the programme ten years ago in 2006.

Starting with six beneficiaries together with their six babies, Faraja Centre works with the Tanzanian government through the local police, Arusha City Council and the Social Welfare Office in identifying victims of human trafficking, young single mothers and girls at risk of child marriages who need assistance.