World Day against Trafficking in Persons is being observed globally on Tuesday. The United Nations has highlighted that human traffickers exploit people for profit every day in every country, targeting particularly those who are poor and vulnerable. Statistics reveal that over 70% of trafficked individuals are women and girls, and nearly 33% are children, underscoring the critical need to combat human trafficking.
The goal of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is to raise public awareness about this grave crime and human rights violation, encouraging more people to engage in prevention and protection efforts.
History of the day: World Day against Trafficking in Persons was officially established in 2013 when the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution. The resolution declared that the purpose of this observance is to raise public awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims and to promote and protect their rights.
Human trafficking manifests in various forms in the modern world, with victims exploited for numerous purposes. These can include forced marriages, forced begging by a parent, spouse, or other controlling individuals, forced labor, sexual exploitation, criminal activities such as drug trafficking, and other forms of abuse.
Those most at risk of human trafficking include vulnerable individuals such as homeless or runaway teens, particularly those who are LGBTQ+, migrant children and youth, those involved in child-welfare systems, individuals experiencing family instability, and those with drug use or romantic partners who use drugs, among others. Awareness of these activities and situations is crucial for preventing and rescuing those who are victimized or could be. This is the primary focus of World Day against Trafficking in Persons.