The United Nations (UN) observed the “World day against trafficking in Person” annually on July 30. The day is celebrated to raise awareness about the conditions of the victims of trafficking and to protect their rights. Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex.
Theme for 2020World day against trafficking in Person as per United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is “Committed to the Cause: Working on the Frontline to End Human Trafficking”
History
i.The day was announced as World day against trafficking in persons in the year 18 December 2013 by the UN General Assembly.
ii.A high level meeting was held by the UN General Assembly in order to form a global plan against the Trafficking in persons.
iii.Over 2 lakhs victims were identified worldwide with the year 2003 by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Facts about trafficking
i.The first responders of the UN are those who identify, support, counsel and those who work against the unpunished traffickers.
ii.People are being trafficked for various purposes includes, forced marriage, begging, labour, sexual exploitation, organ removal, selling children.
iii.Amid the COVID-19 pandemic the UN office with UNODC decided to honour the hard work of the responders.
iv.According to the ILO (International Labour Organization) up to 21 million victims are forced under sexual trade.
Anti-trafficking initiatives:
There are 7 campaigns initiated against trafficking, they are
i.Good Father Campaign
- This was initiated by the Operation Red Alert team and launched in the year 2016 and supported by M.S Dhoni.
- The three pillars of the campaign are: exposing the issue of trafficking through mass media, to provide a national helpline that addresses trafficking and providing education about the vulnerability of trafficking.
ii.Demand an End
- The campaign was started in Kansas, United States by the Street Grace.
- Aim: To eradicate the demand on prostitution as a way to fight child trafficking
- This campaign targets to cut the further demand by spreading awareness before a child gets exploited.
- The Attorney General of Nebraska, Douge Peterson launched the demand for an end campaign in his constituency.
iii.Not a #Number
- It is a five-module prevention curriculum that teaches the youth ‘how to protect themselves from trafficking’.
- Various skill developments programs, critical thinking were developed by an International human rights organization Love 146.
- The curriculum was developed for the age group of 12 – 18 including male, female, and youth.
iv.Missing Art Project
- This project spread awareness with art as a tool – black silhouettes of disappeared young girls in a form of iron sheets were installed in the Public.
- These days the project uses wall art, interactive murals and narratives of the victims to engage people against female trafficking.
- Leena Kejarwal, the Founder of the Missing Art Project launched a role- playing game in MISSING.
v.Red Light Campaign
- The campaign raise awareness against the salvery in the today world.
- Aim: To address the child sex trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children by enhancing the government through the law enforcements.
vi.Blue Campaign
- This was initiated by the UN to raise awareness globally to fight against the human trafficking
- Aim: To encourage the involvement of the governments, civil society, the corporate sector and individuals to inspire action and help prevent this heinous crime.
- The UNODC partners the campaign and the theme for 2018 was: responding to the trafficking of children and young people.
vii.Free a girl India
- Aim: To fight against human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children.
- The project partners with Sanlaap, Freedom Firm, Transforming Lives Foundation, Equal Community Foundation and Odandi.
Acts passed against Trafficking in India:
i.The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA)
ii.Criminal Law (amendment) Act 2013
iii.Protection of Children from Sexual offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
iv.Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994
Recent Related news
i.Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts E-Launched by Rattan Lal Kataria on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” on the theme Better knowledge for better care.
ii.June 12 of Every year is observed as the World Day Against Child Labour which was launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002 to focus on the global extent of child labour and the steps to be taken to eliminate it.
About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
President – Tijjani Muhammad- Bande
Headquarters – New York, United States
About United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Director General/Executive Director– Ghada Fathi Waly
Headquarters – Vienna, Austria
