Addressing child trafficking in Bangladesh
Child trafficking in Bangladesh has been on the rise in recent years, partly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Together with the U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Office (TIP), Terre des Hommes Netherlands works in a programme to combat the surge in child trafficking for sex and labour.
Mahmudul Kabir
Country manager Bangladesh
Background
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Human and child trafficking have increased during the pandemic. At the same time, the safety net, the systems for identification, referral and assistance to victims, actually deteriorated. In Bangladesh, Counter Trafficking Committees (CTCs) are used to identify victims at the grassroots level and assist with reporting and referral to social and legal services. The COVID-19 restrictions limited the opportunities to meet and support victims face to face. At the same time, CTCs did not have the offices, computers, IT systems, or online skills to help victims online. As a result, the victims of trafficking remained unidentified and did not have access to the assistance they needed. With this project we create awareness among girls, boys and young women about the risks of child and human trafficking in the aftermath of COVID-19. We encourage communities to report human trafficking using digital tools. The CTCs have learned how to report online. Victims are encouraged not only to make a report but also to seek support, such as psychosocial counselling. |
Goals
Terre des Hommes Netherlands is developing a reporting and referral system for all cases of child trafficking, child sexual exploitation and child labour in Bangladesh.
Approach
The programme focuses on:
Results
In our fight against child trafficking in Bangladesh, we have achieved a lot in 2022:
- the service centre has been established and has 610 users; 26 organisations have joined the service centre
- 80 cases of child trafficking have been reported through the system; all victims have been referred to the right assistance
- 184 CTC members and 600 aid workers have been trained
- 190,000 people have been reached in the awareness campaign
- 248 boys and girls participated in awareness raising activities in school
Partners
Viamo is a global social enterprise that specialises in mobile engagement and Information and Communication Technology for Development.
INCIDIN Bangladesh focuses on research, advocacy and capacity building towards societal transformation for a pluralistic, democratic Bangladesh.
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