The 6ᵉ edition of the Harmattan Forum on Migration, held in Lomé from 19 to 21 February, addressed a wide range of subjects through eight panels with more than twenty speakers. One of the issues raised was the worrying situation of migrant women from Togo in the Gulf States. Pastor Édoh Komi, president of the Martin Luther King Movement in Togo and first deputy mayor of the Golfe 2 commune, painted an alarming picture of the living conditions of these domestic workers, estimated at around four million.

Dire situation

Édoh Komi’s findings are damning. Young Togolese women working as domestic servants in the Gulf States live in conditions that have been described as ‘inhuman’. Lured by the illusion of a better life in these countries with flourishing economies, they end up facing a much bleaker reality, marked by extremely difficult working conditions and profound disillusionment.

Well-organised trafficking system

Speaking on the theme of ‘Human trafficking and migrant smuggling as seen from Togo: current situation and outlook’, Édoh Komi highlighted the perilous journey these women take. Many of them leave Togo illegally, via Benin, Ghana or Nigeria, before reaching destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates.Their journey is facilitated by smugglers and intermediaries who provide them with false documents, tourist visas or fraudulent contracts. Some recruits are even trained before their departure to adopt behaviours that deter checks by the migration authorities. A large proportion of these migrants fall into the hands of recruitment networks, operating under the cover of recognised employment agencies or clandestine organisations.According to the pastor, these networks exploit the vulnerability of would-be migrants by promising them tempting contracts that are rarely fulfilled once they reach their destination.

Journey fraught with danger

The journey to this supposed paradise exposes these women to many risks: human trafficking, smuggling, sexual abuse, physical and psychological violence, and even death.

Motives for leaving

There are several reasons for this exodus: poverty, unemployment and lack of economic opportunities in Togo top the list. Faced with these difficulties, many young women are ready to try their luck abroad, seduced by the prospect of attractive incomes in the Gulf States, even if the risks are immense.

Togo as a possible alternative

However, former minister Kossivi Hounake, moderator of the panel, was keen to mitigate this trend by pointing out that the Togolese government has put in place measures to encourage entrepreneurship among young people. He pointed out that business start-ups can be facilitated in 24 hours, and that 25% of government contracts are reserved for young entrepreneurs. According to him, these initiatives offer viable prospects for success in Togo without having to expose oneself to the dangers of irregular emigration. ‘Libya is hell. I wouldn’t recommend it,’ he concluded.