The Malawi WhatsApp group that saved women trafficked to Oman
A 32-year-old woman breaks down as she recalls the abuse endured while working as a maid in Oman, originally thinking she was hired as a driver in Dubai for a better life. Georgina, like others interviewed by the BBC, shared her ordeal anonymously.
Having previously owned a small business in Malawi, she was lured by promises of higher earnings in the Middle East. However, upon arriving in Muscat, Oman, she realized she had been deceived and trapped by a family, forced into grueling work seven days a week and enduring sexual abuse from her employer and others.
Georgina's distressing experience sheds light on the widespread issue of human trafficking among female domestic workers in the Gulf Arab states. A survey cited in the 2023 US State Department Trafficking in Persons Report revealed alarming rates of abuse and exploitation.
Her plea for help on Facebook caught the attention of Malawian activist Pililani Mombe Nyoni, leading to the formation of a WhatsApp group that connected over 50 trafficked Malawian women in Oman.
The group exposed the horrific conditions these women faced, including passport confiscation and constant threats.
Through concerted efforts by Nyoni, Do Bold charity, and lobbying by organizations like CDEDI, several women were rescued and returned to Malawi. Yet, tragic stories persist, such as the death of Aida Chiwalo, underscoring the dire need for systemic change and stricter protections for migrant workers.
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