Safe Journey

The campaign uses a variety of communication strategies and tools to educate citizens; one key approach is entertainment. Some of Zimbabwe's musicians contributed to an album, with songs urging people to travel safely with all their documents in hand and reflecting on the connection between HIV/AIDS and migration. This CD has been distributed to the mobile group, such as truck drivers, informal traders and communities living in major transit areas and border towns such as Chirundu, Beitbridge, Nyamapanda, Plumtree and Machipanda.

Mass media is also being used to communicate key messages; radio and television programmes featuring migrants’ testimonies, as well as interviews with musicians who are featured on the album, have been produced (click here to listen to some of these testamonies, as provided on the Kubatana website). In addition, IOM has created bumper stickers, billboards and posters in the languages Shona, Ndebele and English, as well as “Passport to Safe Migration”, a booklet which includes hard facts on the dangers of irregular migration and on avenues for legal migration.

In addition, the campaign developed a website to highlight all the information used in the campaign - click here to access various materials - and to provide directives on where to go for more information. The website is aimed at students and young professionals.

Along these lines, efforts to engage youth are a special focus of the initiative in 2007, as evidenced by the creation of "SAFE ZONE", which is a holistic approach to education through which youth attend daily workshops and debates on HIV/AIDS and the dangers of illegal migration, and also engage in "protective activities" such as entertainment (indoor and outdoor sports), TV, dance and drama classes and movie nights. Livelihood activities such as hairdressing and carpentry are also part of this approach. Tee-shirts have been created so that youth can pass on messages as they make a fashion statement; the shirts bear the words "Keep it safe...have the right travel documents...be cool."

Population, HIV/AIDS.

"Irregular migration is when people live or work abroad without correct documentation, or when they partake in activities, which are not permitted on their visa. Undocumented migrants may face exploitation in the workplace, through low or no pay, little or no access to health care, lack of legal rights, and the risk of falling prey to human trafficking schemes, the sex trade and HIV infection. If caught, irregular migrants may face deportation."

The campaign aims to encourage potential migrants to make informed choices when they consider emigrating and to increase public awareness on the risks of irregular migration and the vulnerability of migrants to HIV/AIDS. It hopes to give people the information they need to make an informed decision and to make sure they make the most of the migration experience.