Let women and youth lead the movement to prevent human trafficking and create change

On August 2, “Dialogue with Leaders: Women and Youth Actively Leading the Way in Anti-Human Trafficking Communications” was held to call for comprehensive coordinated action to empower youth to contribute to the fight against human trafficking.

Để phụ nữ và thanh thiếu niên dẫn đầu phong trào phòng, chống mua bán người và kiến tạo thay đổi

Overview of 'Dialogue with leaders: Women and youth actively lead communication work to prevent and combat human trafficking' on August 2. (Photo: Thu Trang)

This is the first dialogue between youth and leaders on the topic of preventing and combating human trafficking organized by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in cooperation with the UK Government.

The dialogue attracted the participation of more than 200 students from universities and colleges in Hanoi and talented young faces from the Youth Communication Initiative Competition to promote safe migration and prevent and combat human trafficking.

The event is part of a series of activities in response to the World Day against Trafficking in Persons and the National Day against Trafficking in Persons (July 30) in 2024. With the support of United Nations agencies in Vietnam, IOM Vietnam aims to raise the importance of comprehensive and focused efforts to protect children and adolescents from the risks of human trafficking and reduce their vulnerability, enhance their ability to protect themselves and protect children from the risks of human trafficking.

Globally, one in three victims of human trafficking is a child, and in some regions the rate is much higher. Child victims of human trafficking are more than twice as likely to face violence as adults.

IOM research shows that no age group, gender or nationality is immune to the risk of trafficking. More than 50% of child trafficking cases involve family members or friends. Traffickers are also taking advantage of the ever-evolving online platforms to easily reach children.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis delivered the opening speech at the event. (Photo: Thu Trang)

In her opening remarks at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis affirmed: “In an effort to work closely together to effectively address the challenges posed by human trafficking, we need to create conditions for young people to directly participate in building advocacy messages for anti-human trafficking campaigns.

We need to act now to create a more open environment for youth-led communication and advocacy to drive behaviour change and support young people to reach their full potential.”

Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Minh Huong highlighted the role of the Women's Union in preventing and combating human trafficking. (Photo: Thu Trang)

In that context, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union Nguyen Thi Minh Huong said that the Vietnam Women's Union has been promoting the advantages of digital technology and social networks to innovate and improve the quality and effectiveness of propaganda and dissemination of legal education on preventing and combating human trafficking.

At the same time, the Women's Union at all levels also prioritizes the implementation of many communication and education activities to prevent human trafficking for young people; organizes parenting skills education activities to enhance child care and protection; organizes many activities to help each other develop family economy to create conditions for children to study and play; the "Godmother" program supports orphans to create the best conditions for children to excel in their studies and life.

"Each of us should always be a propagandist, a bridge and a solid shield, contributing with the whole people and the whole society to join hands in preventing human trafficking crimes and creating a safe labor migration environment," Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Huong called.

This is the first time a dialogue between youth and leaders on the topic of preventing and combating human trafficking has been held. (Source: IOM)

IOM Vietnam Chief of Mission Park Mi-Hyung said that Vietnam’s leadership efforts to promote effective safe migration and combat human trafficking, especially the Government’s efforts to complete the revised Law on Prevention and Combating Human Trafficking in 2011, are notable milestones and demonstrate Vietnam’s strong commitment to combating this crime. The law amendments will lay a stronger foundation to address the increasingly complex trends of human trafficking, which are being further complicated by socio-economic challenges.

The Head of Mission for IOM Viet Nam also stressed that today’s youth face a reality of many intertwined risks in the fight against human trafficking. With nearly 2.4 billion young people globally, this is the largest number of young people ever. Of the 281 million international migrants, approximately 11.3% are under 24 years old. Meanwhile, in Viet Nam, there are more than 22 million young people aged 16 to 30 and many have considered leaving their homeland for better work and education opportunities.

Traffickers often exploit online platforms to prey on young workers, who are active online. However, young people also hold the power to create change. With their dynamism, creativity, and technological agility, young people have the ability to develop innovative solutions to combat human trafficking in the digital age. Investing in young people will encourage them to take action to protect their peers and realize their potential to build a safer and more resilient world.

Delegates took souvenir photos at the exhibition space and interactive experience "Pioneer Leaders Convergence: Working Together to End Human Trafficking". (Source: IOM)

Affirming that preventing illegal migration and human trafficking is a top priority for the British Government, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew pledged that the British Government will cooperate closely with the Vietnamese Government in preventing and combating human trafficking through capacity building, awareness, information sharing, criminal prosecution, and protection of vulnerable people.

“We want to spread the message about the risks of irregular migration and the need to carefully consider migration options to protect yourself and your family’s future,” said Ambassador Iain Frew.

On the sidelines of the dialogue event, the exhibition and interactive experience space “Leaders Convergence: Taking Action to End Human Trafficking” is open to youth, families and children, encouraging participants to proactively raise awareness of the signs of human trafficking and equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and reduce the risk of being trafficked.

Comment (0)