PURPOSE: The U.N. Member States adopted resolution A/RES/68/192 and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”. Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. Since 2003 the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has collected information on about 225,000 victims of trafficking detected worldwide. Globally countries are detecting and reporting more victims and are convicting more traffickers. This can be the result of increased capacity to identify victims and/or an increased number of trafficked victims. In September 2015, the world adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and embraced goals and targets on trafficking in persons. These goals call for an end to trafficking and violence against children; as well as the need for measures against human trafficking, and they strive for the elimination of all forms of violence against and exploitation of women and girls.
FORUM: “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024. This year's global campaign urges to accelerate action to end child trafficking. Children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, with girls being disproportionately affected. 1 in 3 victims of human trafficking globally is a child. Additionally, children are twice as likely to face violence during trafficking than adults, according to the UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP). Regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean bear a disproportionate burden, with children making up for 60 per cent of detected trafficking victims. Amid overlapping crises such as armed conflicts, pandemics, economic hardships, and environmental challenges, children are increasingly vulnerable to trafficking. Furthermore, the proliferation of online platforms poses additional risks as children often connect to these sites without adequate safeguards. Traffickers exploit online platforms, social media, and the dark web to recruit and exploit children, utilizing technology to evade detection, reach wider audiences, and disseminate exploitative content. The causes of child trafficking are as diverse as the ways in which children are exploited. Children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including exploitation in forced labour, criminality or begging, trafficked for illegal adoption, recruitment into armed forces, and online and sexual abuse and exploitation. Root causes are manifold, including poverty, inadequate support of unaccompanied children amidst rising migration and refugee flows, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and lack of parental care. Notably, in low-income countries, children are often trafficked for forced labour, whereas in high-income countries, sexual exploitation remains prevalent among child victims. Identification and protection of child victims remain challenging due to underreporting, lack of awareness, and inadequate resources for victim support services. Traffickers often employ coercion, deception, and threats to maintain control over their victims, making it difficult for authorities to intervene. To effectively combat this scourge, concerted efforts are needed at both national and international levels. States must prioritize child protection, bolster legislation, improve law enforcement, and allocate more resources to combat child trafficking. Prevention efforts should target root causes like poverty and inequality to reduce children's vulnerability. Special attention must be paid to trafficking of children on the move. Strengthening child protection systems and implementing child-sensitive justice mechanisms are crucial for supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable. The way to address online child exploitation requires innovative strategies, collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement, and robust legal frameworks. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #endHT, #30July, #worlddayagainsttraffickinginpersons, #EndHumanTrafficking on all digital platforms.
EVENTS: As we observe the 10th edition, it is crucial to address the shortcomings and accelerate action to End HumanTrafficking. On July 30th, the UNODC will celebrate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024 under the theme "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking" as part of awareness-raising events. Civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities have a vital role in raising awareness, providing support services, and advocating for policy reforms. The UNODC Regional office and the UNODC partners will also organize many activities in cities across the countries. Get involved!
PUBLICATIONS: ILO Convention against trafficking in Persons. Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published during the 112nd ILC session (2024) Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).
STATEMENTS:
PODCASTS: The United Nations have underscored the need for governments, businesses and civil society to invest in policies, laws and technology-based solutions that can identify and support victims, locate and punish perpetrators, and ensure a safe, open and secure internet. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking.” theme to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024. you are invited to participate to the photo challenge competition and to show support for the campaign to shine the Light on Human Trafficking. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
ACTIONS
PARTNERSHIPS
Encourage everyone, Member States, NGOs, the private sector, all our partners, and stakeholders alike to join this year’s campaign
raise awareness of the signs, share internet safety tips, and highlight best practice examples.
Share your own content and best practice examples of using technology to impede trafficking and support victims
Be vigilant in the online sphere and report suspicious pages or activities to the authorities, e.g., by making use of dedicated online mechanisms or helplines.
Donate to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, which provides on-the-ground assistance and protection to victims of trafficking.
The World Day Against trafficking in Persons is celebrate every July 30th; Member States are encouraged to:
ensure that what is illegal and prosecuted offline is also illegal and prosecuted online.
expand their attention in the fight against human trafficking to cyberspace, including by providing resources for law enforcement and ensuring policies and regulations are in place.
join the Blue Heart Campaign and support victims of Human Trafficking via the UN Voluntary Trust Fund (UNVTF).
Technology-based private sector companies, especially tech companies are called to:
ensure measures and restrictions are in place which prevent the use of technological platforms and tools for trafficking.
use technological ingenuity to fight human trafficking.
proactively identify illegal and harmful material online and take immediate and effective steps to remove it.
The Day is hosted by the UNODC Country Offices; The UNODC New York Office; The UNODC Liaison Office in Brussels (BRULO); The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific; The UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean; The UNODC East Africa; UNODC Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (RONEMA); The UNODC Regional Office of Europe, West and Central Asia, The The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons; The United Nations Foundation; The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); International Labour Organization (ILO); The International Organization for Migration (IOM); The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT); The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR); The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; The International Organization for Civil Aviation (ICAO); The UN. Women; The International criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and many other civil society organization and Non-Governmantal Organizations.