In 2013, the UN General Assembly designated 30 July as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons and declared that it was necessary to observe such a day to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”
People are trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced begging, forced marriage; for selling children and as child soldiers, as well as for removal of organs
Women make up 49% and girls 23% of all victims of trafficking; Sexual exploitation is the most common form of exploitation (59% share) followed by forced labour (34% share);
Every year 300,000+ children are taken from all around the world and sold by human traffickers as slaves.
International Labour Office which suggest that forced labour in the private economy alone generates US$ 150 billion in illegal profits per year. Two thirds of this figure (US$ 99 billion) comes from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$ 51 billion are a result of forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.
With the COVID situation pulling people into a web of poverty, the risk of trafficking is very high.
Today is not a day to celebrate, but to make ourselves equipped with awareness, vigilance and redoubled vigour to save the children and women from being trafficked.
Let’s add more eyes and ears to the situation so that we can help save lives.
Vikas Gora