Global Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
19/12/18
Vladimir Bozovic is Advisor of Government of the Republic of SerbiaEntire human history is one great struggle for freedom. To many, slavery is a synonym for something in the past, for transatlantic slave trade, but, unfortunately, slavery still exists in many different forms.
Records show that over twenty seven million men, women and children still live today in conditions that characterized social form of the slave ownership. They are trapped in forced labor and debt bondage, in domicile work and forced marriages, or they are being exploited by the human traffickers. We can easily speak of slavery as of great tragedy, and the fact that in this day and age still exists, is a downfall of human kind.
Modern slavery is a challenge for every democratic country. Suffering is the same as in the past, but methods are more sophisticated and perfidious, and most of those who suffer are the ones that should be protected the most – poor and socially excluded groups, who often live on the margins of our society, and young women and children. This is not an imaginary problem, it does not happen only to someone else and somewhere else; rather, it is a real threat and anyone can fall victim to.
The very first challenge in fight against slavery must be a cognizance: we must confess a bitter truth that slavery has been weakened, but still exists. Human trafficking is one of the growing forms of transnational crime, characterized by high profit and low risk, and it is followed by a grave statistics. It is crime of economic nature, and most efficiently organized, and we are currently fighting it on inconsistent and fragmented way. That is the dark side of globalization.
The issue of modern slavery is globally recognized by the UN in its millennium goals. Goal 8 is dedicated to increasing labor productivity, reducing the unemployment rate, especially for young people, improving access to financial services and benefits, fight against modern slavery and child labor. So many activities around this particular global goal prove that we don't live anymore in a selfish world where we don't consider other nations and their problems. No, the world of todays opens up to the misery of others, and everybody everywhere has to be good, for us to feel good. Employed, productive populations, sustainable economic growth, decent jobs with equal opportunities for fair salaries, safe working environments, social protection, these are all values that will ensure the progress of the entire world, and the whole world will benefit from the creativity, business and innovation of the free people.
Plenty has been done in delivering the Goal 8. UN reports that the average annual growth rate of real GDP per capita worldwide increased, the number of children from 5 to 17 years of age who are working has declined, access to financial services through automated teller machines increased... Plenty has been done, but also plenty has to be done. Child labor remains a serious concern with more than half of child laborers participate in dangerous work and 59% of them work in the agricultural sector; labor productivity has slowed down, the global unemployment rate hasn't changed from 2016, with women more likely to be unemployed than men across all age groups. Youth were almost three times as likely as adults to be unemployed... It is clear that efforts provide results, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
There was a time we thought that the slavery is forever beaten, only to come back to us in new forms and shapes. That is why the solution must be fresh and brave. The only final answer to this problem is for every country, every government, every agency to work together, to unite and create an Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition that will engage entire society in fight against this crime, and combine all our efforts in protecting our citizens. It should be understood that eradicating the human trafficking is not solely a mission for the police or law enforcement agencies, this is a fight at all levels of society. We should campaign through media with the message that will define the problem, and develop the clear strategy that will unite countries and governments, churches and religious organizations, NGOs, youth, academic communities, media and all other important representatives of the society in one efficient and effective action with clear mechanisms of measuring the results. Everything should be designed in the way that those results are realistic and visible to the present victims, and to provide prevention and protection for potential victims. Time has clearly shown us, that this is one thing we can't beat alone, nationally, rather, it's a nick of time to do it globally.
All comments [ 21 ]
Trafficking of men, women and children is a real issue in South Africa. It can be happening as close as next door without your knowledge.
Human trafficking exists because people are vulnerable to exploitation as a result of poverty, lack of education and desperation.
Human trafficking is motivated by money, often for the victim as well as the trafficker. But it’s also money that can make a massive difference to prevention and rescue efforts; protecting the vulnerable and
providing care for the victims.
The problem is more than just the human trafficking itself; it’s that many people refuse to accept that human trafficking exists.
Get involved by speaking out and educating those around you, raising funds, signing petitions and writing to politicians.
Most sexual trafficking also includes some form of coercion – such as kidnapping, threats, intimidation, assault, rape, drugging or other forms of violence.
the numbers of women and children [who] have been trafficked have multiplied so that they are now on par with estimates of the numbers of Africans who were enslaved in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Human trafficking is the 2nd largest profit-making crime in the world next to drug trafficking. There are approximately 27 million people enslaved in the world today.
People most vulnerable to human trafficking are children, teenagers, young women, refugees and job seekers. These people are preyed upon in various ways and are literally tricked into going somewhere with their traffickers, and subsequently held against their will.
Victims of trafficking are almost always introduced to the trafficker by someone they know!
Human trafficking is a complex, thriving crime that impacts every country: There are an estimated 40 million people worldwide subjected to some form of trafficking.
Given the widespread nature of this crime and the complexity of tackling it, increased engagement from all stakeholders, including and especially the private sector, is vital.
Through their expertise, capacity for innovation, and global reach, technology companies can play a major role in preventing and disrupting human trafficking and in empowering survivors.
Digital information and communication technologies offer opportunities for a step change in tackling this crime.
Our goal is to work with civil society, law enforcement, academia, and survivors to identify and create technology solutions that disrupt and reduce human trafficking
Build a coalition of tech and anti-slavery experts to share research, best practices, and guidance.
Engage a wide network of stakeholders to better understand the human trafficking "journey" and the human rights risks at each stage to help target future tech solutions.
Women migrant workers experience a continuum of gender-based violence and harassment, ranging from insults to severe physical abuse, rape and sexual assault, psychological abuse, bullying and intimidation
Innovate and collaborate to develop tech applications to combat human trafficking.
Share, pilot, and measure the success of existing solutions before scaling up or developing new proposals. Continue to review innovative and future technology which could help prevent and disrupt crimes and empower survivors.
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