4th Asian anti-Trafficking forum Meet; ‘Strengthening partnerships and
accelerating the use of technology to combat human trafficking: Vimukti
Pothnal
VCT Pothnal Director
Fr. Sathish Fernandes attended the Asian anti trafficking forum meet
2022 at Institute of Public Enterprise, Shamirpet, Hydarbad. The
three-day event was kicked off on the eve of the World Day Against
Trafficking in Persons (30 July) and included individual
presentations, panels, roundtable discussions and workshops. The
theme of this year’s Forum was ‘Strengthening partnerships and
accelerating the use of technology to combat human trafficking and
brought together stakeholders from across the country, including our
Implementing Partners, strategic partners, supporters, think tanks,
government, women rights and anti-trafficking advocates, grassroots
level organisations, technological experts and other like-minded
organisations.
Objectives
The objectives of the 4th Asian Anti-Trafficking Forum were:
-
to strengthen
strategic partnerships and cross-sectoral collaborations, and
encourage ties among the pan-Indian network of NGOs, service
providers and others working to prevent human trafficking
-
to share
experiences, take stock of the progress of My Choices
Foundation’s anti-trafficking efforts in 10 states of India and
set the directions for follow-up measures to prevent and counter
human trafficking,
-
to harness the
power of data to address the current challenges of human
trafficking
-
to identify and
analyse trends, needs, policy concerns and priorities to counter
human trafficking, particularly sexual exploitation and labour
and
-
encourage a
coordinated action and scale up solutions for maximising results
on the ground
Over 130 leaders of
grassroots level anti-human trafficking organisations, business
leaders, strategic partners, supporters, think tanks, technological
experts and other like-minded organisations from over 10 states
participated in the 4th Asian Anti-Trafficking Forum, which served
as a platform to combine strengths, exchange best practices and
amplify the efforts toward the common goal of preventing and
combating human trafficking, with particular focus on trafficking
for sexual exploitation and labour. Various dignitaries included
Joby Yesudas, Law Enforcement Development, International Justice
Mission, Zahid Hussain, Director, After Care, Justice ventures.
Daniel Umi, Director, Migration & Education, Aide et Action
International, Naveen Joshi, representing Kin Nepal, Asha Lokhande
of Freedom Firm, Seema Diwan of Talaash Association and many more
commended MCF’s approach to partnering with Implementing Partners
and the community engagement activities. Seema highlighted the
importance of collaborating with others to maximize reach and
effectiveness.
The inaugural event was followed by a presentation and panel
discussion by various state representatives and implementing
partners discussing the impact and reach in combating trafficking in
their regions. We discussed how to strengthen our partnerships and
the importance of monitoring and evaluation. Lastly, it concluded by
sharing the new approach to Safe Village Program and implementing
the same in the mere future. On this occasion Vimukti director
presented data report on anti-human trafficking in bringing
awareness to children, Women and men in reaching out nearly 70,880/-
people through this safe village program.









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