In celebration of the ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’ (WDATIP) marked each year on the 30^th of July, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kuwait held two awareness raising campaigns in collaboration with the Permanent National Committee concerned with Implementing the National Strategy to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.

The first campaign took place on the 30^th of July at Al Assima mall, while the second took place on the 31^st of July at the Ministries complex building in Kuwait City, which holds approximately 60,000 employees and serves 13,000 daily visitors.

Both campaigns aimed at raising awareness on the crime of trafficking, and had representatives from IOM, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and the Public Authority for Manpower present at the campaign’s booths that were available to answer questions. The campaign also provided information about the State of Kuwait’s commitment in combatting trafficking in persons including the Kuwait Law No. 91 of 2013 on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) which is a framework for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support, as well as IOM efforts in that regard.

“This year, IOM is marking the ‘World Day Against Trafficking in Persons’ under the theme "Reach every victim of trafficking".  Human trafficking is a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity, and it is borderless where no region is spared from human trafficking” remarked Mazen AboulHosn, IOM Kuwait’s Chief of Mission. “In Kuwait and worldwide, IOM works with governments and partners on prevention, protection, prosecution, policy, and partnerships towards its goal to combat human trafficking, and leaving no one behind”.

A representative from The Permanent National Committee concerned with Implementing the National Strategy to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, said “The State of Kuwait is keen to enhance its international cooperation in the field of combating trafficking in persons, a crime that is transnational in its nature. The Permanent National Committee concerned with Implementing the National Strategy to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants participated in this celebration to join efforts with the international community to combat this crime. The State of Kuwait has also made pioneering efforts in the field of combating trafficking in persons, including the issuance of Law No. (91) of 2013 related to Combating Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, the adoption of Law No. (6) of 2010 concerning Labour in the Private Sector and Law No. (68) of 2015 on Employment of Domestic Workers, as well as the establishment of a shelter for expatriate workers, whose services have benefited more than 5,000 people from 2018 till date”.

In conjunction with the two awareness raising campaigns, IOM in partnership with a private sector partner sent out broadcast SMS text messages to its customers to highlight the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (WDATIP) and announce the campaign, while the Avenues mall highlighted the day on its electronic screens.

Since 2015, IOM in Kuwait with governmental entities and partners have been collaborating to raise awareness on the heinous crime of trafficking. While this year marks its 9^th awareness raising campaign, throughout the years various activities have been organized including trainings and workshops, distribution of guidance booklets, consultations, and face-to-face discussions.

Worldwide, more than 155,000 victims of trafficking have been identified by IOM and partners between 2002 and 2021. Human trafficking thrives in situations of vulnerabilities and the current global, political, economic, and environmental crises make people at risk more vulnerable to human trafficking. We all have a role in ending human trafficking.

ENDS

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