On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we’re shining a spotlight on children who represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, with girls affected most of all.

An average of one in three victims of human trafficking globally is a child – although in some regions the proportion is much higher, and children are twice as likely as adults to face violence while being trafficked. Our research shows that no age group, gender or nationality is immune. In more than 50 per cent of cases, family members or friends are involved and ever-evolving online platforms are making it easier for traffickers to exploit children while avoiding detection.

Urgent, comprehensive action is needed to tackle this dire situation. With decades of experience in counter-trafficking, at IOM we work closely with partners to prevent children from falling victim to this crime and protect and assist those who have. But we all need to do more, together, to reach our goal of ensuring no child is left behind in the fight against trafficking.

Mazen AboulHosn – Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the State of Kuwait “Combating Trafficking in Persons and providing protection and assistance to victims is one of the priorities of the International Organization for Migration. The Kuwait Mission has worked for nearly 14 years in cooperation with the Government of the State of Kuwait to strengthen mechanisms and initiatives to combat this crime, and we affirm our keenness to continue international cooperation to strengthen protection and support systems for victims. This includes, for example, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) formulated in cooperation with the organization that works to prevent this crime and preserve human rights violations.

To enhance these efforts in shedding light on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the International Organization for Migration was present during an awareness raising campaign held by the Public Authority for Manpower in partnership with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kuwait Trade Union Federation. This is in addition to the participation in a seminar organized by the British Embassy to promote awareness on the day as well as posts on IOM social media platforms.

ENDS

For more information please contact: Dana Al-Othman at IOM Kuwait, Email: dalothman@iom.int