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Milka gets justice: “You have become my voice”

February 24th, 2021

Trafficked and exploited in child domestic labour, sixteen year old Milka from Tanzania was sexually abused by her boss. The next day, he threw her out of the house. With no place to go, Milka was idling at the bus station, hoping she would somehow get help to go home.

Tanzanian girl sewing

As it happened, our partner Kiwohede was holding an awareness event at the bus station, to sensitise the public on child trafficking for domestic labour. Milka reported her own case, and got taken up in Kiwohede’s rehabilitation programme. The programme supported Milka with shelter, medical services, counseling and legal aid.

Read more about the background of Milka’s story

The court case

After filing the defilement case to the police, the accused was arrested. Investigation was done and the case was taken to the national prosecution service. Court proceedings took place in Mwanza resident Magistrate Court. 

“He called me to the sitting room and when I got there he forced me to enter. I refused but he forced me and he raped me. He threatened me that if I told anyone about the incident he will kill me.’’

Kiwohede assisted Milka with court representation. After a series of hearing and witnessing sessions in court, the case was ruled on the 30th November 2020. The accused was found guilty and was sentenced to thirty years imprisonment.

“Before my stay at Kiwohede I was unaware of my basic rights. You became my voice by pushing my case to the court of law where my abuser was punished for his inhuman action.”

Tailoring business

Milka has since been reunified with her family in her home village Misungwi. While in the Kiwohede shelter, she was trained in tailoring. We have supported her with a sewing machine and seed capital to start her own tailoring business. This has enabled Milka to earn a steady income of around € 2 to € 5 per day.

“I am happy since I have a permanent and dependable source of income. Moreover, I am happy knowing that the person who abused me was convicted.”

Following Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ Child Safeguarding Policy, Milka (not her real name) could not be photographed recognisably, since she is a survivor of sexual abuse.
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