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Abstract
This is the baseline report from a multi-phased, mixed-methods project that aimed to estimate and reduce the prevalence of labor trafficking among young and young adults (YYAs: 18-37 years old) in Malawi . Phase I includes a baseline study that is reported here. Phase II is the evaluation, and Phase III includes a final evaluation and endline study. Data collected in Blantyre and Mangochi Districts between September 2023 and March 2024 included:
• 53 semi-structured qualitative interviews with YYAs and Key informants
• 8 focus group discussions with community members
• 1,130 households and 1,863 YYAs within sampled households were surveyed (HHS)
• 1,099 YYAs who worked abroad in the past 2 years surveyed through the LTS (Link-Tracing Sampling: LTS) survey methods
The study fills a significant gap in knowledge about the prevalence and context of labor trafficking in Malawi. Prior to this report, the only available data about human trafficking in Malawi was from anecdotal reports and administrative records. In addition to estimating prevalence, robust mixed-methods approaches were used to capture experiences and context of labor trafficking, as well as financial well-being, inclusion, and capacity among YYAs. Results from this baseline study were used to develop a financial capacity and asset-building intervention with an overall goal to reduce labor trafficking among YYAs. As of the writing of this report, the intervention is underway. Rigorous evaluation will be conducted to identify impacts from the intervention on the risk of and experiences of LT among YYAs in Malawi.