I joined the fight against human trafficking when I became a member of the National Committee in October 2019, where one of my responsibilities was developing the Committee’s strategy. In February 2020, I was appointed the Committee’s Vice-Chair. My work includes a lot of coordination with various ministries and authorities which all work together as part of a concerted national team.
At the Committee I also oversee training programmes with our partners at the UNODC Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region and the International Organization for Migration as part of our capacity-building strategy, along with coordinating protection responses for victims and potential victims of trafficking.
Human trafficking is a crime that knows no borders, therefore neither can we who fight it.
Combatting human trafficking, therefore, requires the participation of a variety of international and local actors that goes far beyond the public sector and operates in many areas – ranging from cyberspace to private sector supply chains.
Everyone can make a difference when it comes to tackling this crime. For example, by demanding responsibly sourced goods and refusing to purchase products from companies that have been implicated in the exploitation of workers, each person can help fight trafficking every day. Everyone has a role to play.
I am proud when we are able to make a positive impact in someone’s life, and to see that we are making a difference.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as the Custodian of the Palermo conventions which is the multilateral treaty against transnational organized crime, is an invaluable partner in the fight against human trafficking. By sharing their extensive expertise, UNODC helps ensure the incorporation of best practices into our efforts, particularly through our numerous joint training programmes.
Moreover, these training programmes have not only continued in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic but have actually been accelerated through the leveraging of virtual platforms to reach more people in a shorter time.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent curtailing of movement requires us to work even harder to protect the vulnerable from existing risks and guard against new risks.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons - campaign website
