Vienna, Austria – 30 January 2025 - To address critical shortcomings in data collection and reporting, which undermine constructive responses to trafficking in persons, the GLO.ACT Women’s Network of Gender Champions hosted an informative briefing on the recently launched Global Trafficking in Persons Report 2024 in collaboration with the Research and Trend Analysis Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Martin Reeve, UNODC Project Coordinator, opened the session highlighting the critical role that accurate and reliable data plays in effectively countering human trafficking. He noted that this briefing marks an important step in sharing high-quality, credible data with representatives of partner countries to promote informed, evidence-based responses to human trafficking that are responsive to new and emerging trends.
Fabrizio Sarrica, UNODC Research Coordinator on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants from the Research and Trends Analysis Branch, proceeded to present key findings of the report related to global, regional and national human trafficking patterns and flows, zooming in especially on the Middle East, Central and South Asia, as well as Africa, to which the report dedicates a special chapter.
Upon discussing the findings of the report, Mr. Sarrica pointed out that “although globally there has been an increase in the number of victims trafficked for forced labour, only a very limited number of traffickers engaging in forced labour are convicted.” Explaining that this is connected with a higher level of organization of the trafficking networks engaging in forced labour, as well as with a major focus of some criminal justice systems towards trafficking for sexual exploitation, Mr. Sarrica suggested that to resolve this gap could benefit from the provision of technical assistance that comprehensively builds the capacity of national authorities to combat all forms of trafficking in persons.
The seminar benefitted from the active involvement of participants, who used the opportunity to ask questions about forced labour, convictions, trial procedures, and support mechanisms. Over 45 network members, representing law enforcement, the judiciary, civil society, and international organizations joined the event. In closing, Emmanuelle Kunigk, UNODC Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement Expert, thanked Mr. Sarrica for facilitating this important and timely event, celebrating the vital role UNODC’s research plays in improving responses to trafficking in persons in GLO.ACT partner countries.
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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is implementing the European Union-(EU) funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT across Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. This initiative also addresses challenges in the broader Central Asia region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with a primary focus on enhancing the effectiveness of responses to trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), particularly in relation to criminal justice. Meanwhile, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is responsible for implementing the PROTECT initiative in Afghanistan (specifically through virtual MRC Afghanistan), Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Their primary objectives include improving gender-sensitive and rights-based migration governance at the national level and establishing Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs).
The project is funded by the European Union.
