Dushanbe, Tajikistan - 23 September 2024 - The GLO.ACT Women's Network of Gender Champions expanded its outreach by including members from Tajikistan, hosting a roundtable discussion with prominent advocates and civil society actors combating trafficking in persons in Tajikistan. The network, initially launched in 2020, aims to address the gendered dynamics of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, advocating for increased female representation in institutions tasked with addressing both crimes.
The event welcomed new members from Tajikistan (6 women; 1 man) to both the network and advisory board, aiming to foster collaboration and strengthen gender-sensitive responses in anti-trafficking efforts. After a welcome message by Dr. Ibtisam Aziz, Chairperson of the GLO.ACT Women’s Network, participants shared their insights and experiences in promoting gender equality, protecting women’s rights, and addressing the nexus between gender-based violence and trafficking in persons. Discussions centered on barriers women face in shaping anti-trafficking strategies, their role in criminal justice, and successful initiatives that promote women’s inclusion. Participants also shared recommendations for enhancing the network’s impact in Tajikistan and wider Central Asia region.
The meeting marks a critical step in integrating Tajik advocates into a broader regional effort to combat human trafficking, with a focus on empowering women as leaders and champions for change.
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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.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Reeve (Mr.), Coordinator, GLO.ACT, Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, UNODC
Email:
Golda Myra ROMA (Ms.), Senior Project Manager, ICMPD Silk Routes Region – Budapest Process
Email: Golda.Roma@icmpd.org