Two hundred participates on world day against trafficking

More than 200 participants from various sectors, including government, law enforcement, civil society, the private sector, and media, gathered at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre today to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2025.

The event, organised through the Ashshash project supported by Switzerland and implemented by Winrock International, aligned with this year's global theme: "Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – End the Exploitation."

The observance highlighted the need for multi-sectoral efforts to prevent trafficking and ensure the successful reintegration of survivors. In her remarks, Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Chargée d'affaires a.i., Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach, stating, "Ending trafficking is not the work of one agency, one project, or one ministry. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach anchored in human rights, gender justice, and data-driven accountability."

The Chief Guest, Mamtaz Ahmed NDC, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, called for stronger legal frameworks to dismantle trafficking networks. Additional remarks were delivered by Khondakar Md Mahabubur Rahman, Additional Secretary (Political and ICT Wing), Ministry of Home Affairs, and Md. Daud Miah NDC, Director General and Additional Secretary of the NGO Affairs Bureau, both emphasised the government's commitment to tackling trafficking and urged greater coordination with civil society.

Uzma Chowdhury, Director at PRAN-RFL Group, highlighted the private sector's role in the economic reintegration of trafficking survivors and raising awareness. The opening ceremony also featured survivor leaders and community activists sharing powerful testimonies, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open exhibition stalls showcasing products made by survivors, including packaged food, handicrafts, and garments.

An esteemed panel of government officials, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, and civil society actors discussed strengthening coordination, establishing special tribunals, and expediting justice for survivors. They emphasised that efficient legal resolution fosters public trust, encourages survivors to come forward, and ensures accountability. A second panel focused on community-based outreach models, digital safeguards against cyber trafficking, and sustainable reintegration through multisectoral approaches.

A traditional pot song performance raised awareness on trafficking risks and safe migration practices in rural communities. The 'Voices of Resilience' session featured emotional accounts from survivor leaders about their journeys from exploitation to empowerment.

The event concluded with an award ceremony honouring survivor leaders and community activists for their courage and commitment. Dipta Rakshit, Country Representative of Winrock International in Bangladesh and Project Director of Ashshash, closed the event by reaffirming the shared commitment to ensuring survivors reclaim their dignity and livelihoods.

The Ashshash project, supported by Switzerland and implemented by Winrock International, aims to support 5,000 survivors (65% women) in its second phase and strengthen public and private sector capacities to ensure long-term reintegration of trafficking survivors in Bangladesh.