By Sariba Manneh
The National Agency Against Trafficking in Person (NAATIP), in collaboration with stakeholders, recently joined activities marking the World Day Against Trafficking-In Persons. It also coincided with the launch of the ABA, US Department of State Funded project on Trafficking-In Persons.
The theme for this year is ‘Leave No Child Behind in the fight against Human Trafficking’.
Isatou Dabo, the Executive Director of NAATIP said the day marks a pivotal moment in their collective fight against such heinous crime, noting that through strategic partnerships, relentless advocacy, and comprehensive action, they aim to bring an end to this grave violation of human rights.
On the other hand, the day serves as an important reminder for people to not only remember that children get trafficked daily, but also that these children deserve and require certain safeguards to protect them from human trafficking irrespective of their race, colour, religion, nationality, or social background.
“The responsibility to protect is not only on the parents, guardian or persons under whose custody these children are in. It is the responsibility of each community, civil society, government, and the private sector. What we do for our children today, what we do for every child does have an impact on what the future will be. This will affect how our country is governed, decisions made in key areas of development, and essence affect the very fabric of our society,” she said.
She added that globally, 1 in 3 trafficking victims is a child. This year’s commemoration is a call for action, for concerted efforts that not only protect adult victims of human trafficking but efforts that mobilise resources designed to deliberately cater to the needs of children as well. “And by children, I mean every child.”
She stated that over the years, the Gambia has developed a series of policies on child protection and has equally passed laws aimed at safeguarding the rights of every child including child victims of trafficking.
“You will agree with me that a legal framework in addressing any social menace is not the endpoint. In respect of Trafficking in persons, the Setting up of the National agency against trafficking in persons NAATIP, mandated to combat trafficking in persons and the work it does in the protection of Children against trafficking in persons continues to facilitate and provide services for the most vulnerable,” he explains.
Additionally, he said since its establishment, NAATIP has engaged in a series of activities within the areas of prevention, protection, partnership, and procedure.
There is a need to further strengthen, increase, and improve services for child victims of trafficking. This extends to procedures in handling victims of trafficking, short-term shelter services specific to child victims, care and recreational materials for child victims as well as strengthened protection during the investigation of cases, throughout any trial process, and even after trial. Protection should be continuous.
“Our successes are not measured by what we do individually, but how our collective action can impact the lives of the most vulnerable to trafficking in persons. Then we can all say we won,” he said.
Sharon Cromer, US ambassador, said modern slavery is a scourge, and it requires all collective efforts to address the violation of human dignity.
“With global economic hardships, including the crisis, we see greater vulnerability to trafficking, making our work more important,” he said.
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice Dawda A Jallow, also emphasized that human trafficking is a deplorable crime that inflicts immeasurable pain and suffering upon its victims.
“Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, yet they continue to lack adequate protection in certain key areas,” Minister Jallow argued.
He stated that the government “is dedicated to implementing the necessary measures to improve our current strategies into one that aligns with our vision for the future.”
Trafficking, he went on, can have both short and long-term effects and the impact can last a lifetime.
“We are determined to combat trafficking in person and have a strong political will to allocate resources towards this cause,” he assured
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Karl Frederick Paul, asserted that trafficking in persons violates human rights, exploits vulnerability, and undermines “our shared values of dignity, equality, and Justice.”
Minister Jallow officially presented a ceremonial cheque of D30,000 to the first beneficiary. The money will be used as seed money for a clothing business the beneficiary intends to set up.
