Papantla (Mexico) — "If nobody ever talks about it, then you never even know it exists.”
Margarita Cruz, an indigenous activist from Mexico, says that human trafficking is largely unheard of in indigenous communities.
“And if there is any information, it's certainly not in our native tongue," she adds.
Margarita understands that the first crucial step in preventing this crime is raising awareness in a way that respects and understands cultural nuances.
Human trafficking affects all corners of society. However, certain groups, such as migrants, indigenous peoples, and Afro communities, are particularly vulnerable. Social exclusion, economic hardship, and the absence of tailored prevention programmes create a daunting challenge in the fight against this crime.
Mexico, a multicultural and diverse country, is home to 68 indigenous native groups, each with its own language, narratives, and knowledge. Crime prevention efforts in indigenous communities have often failed because they ignored cultural sensitivities, weren't tailored to local contexts, or were presented exclusively in the national language.
“Preventing the trafficking of indigenous people is essential for not only promoting human rights, but also fostering community well-being, and principles of justice and accountability,” says Silke Albert, human trafficking expert at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Since 2018, UNODC in Mexico has been collaborating with local indigenous leaders to address the risks of human trafficking through culturally and linguistically-sensitive strategies.
Margarita is a representative of the “Centers for Indigenous and Afro-descendant Women” of Baja California, Mexico, an organization led by local women who provide different support services in their communities.
She recalls coming to understand the reality of human trafficking during a meeting organized by UNODC and partners. "Living in Baja California, a border region with human trafficking challenges, I was surprised by the lack of awareness," she reflects.
In Baja, “people are often misled,” Margarita says. Traffickers promise them false work opportunities in the U.S. – but after crossing the border, victims are coerced into forced labor or sexual exploitation.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts between UNODC and the Centers for Women, a comprehensive prevention and awareness programme has emerged, tailored to the cultural needs of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.
Through intercultural dialogues and working groups, UNODC has trained women leaders and representatives to disseminate prevention messages in their communities, ensuring information reaches people in their mother tongue.
In one working group, participants received training on how to spot signs of forced labor – particularly important in Mexico as many young indigenous men are vulnerable to this form of trafficking in the agricultural sector. In another instance, participants learned ways to prevent forced marriages, which remains prevalent in some of their communities.
"Thanks to our collaboration with UNODC, we've conducted trainings and spread awareness in our communities, using our own language and culturally-relevant media," says Margarita, including through comic books and community radio stations.
Margarita is a strong believer that these efforts are essential to combatting and preventing more members of indigenous communities from becoming victims of human trafficking.
"The multicultural approach of UNODC must persist," Margarita asserts, "so that information resonates in our own languages. This will spark profound change within our communities."
