July 30: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

World Day against Trafficking in Persons is observed every year on July 30 to raise awareness of the plight of human trafficking victims, and promote and protect their rights. This year, theme chosen by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is ‘responding to the trafficking of children and young people’. It highlights fact that almost third of trafficking victims are children. It draws attention to issues faced by trafficked children and to possible action initiatives linked to safeguarding and ensuring justice for child victims.

Background

Human trafficking is trade of humans, most commonly for purpose of forced labour, commercial sexual exploitation or sexual slavery for the trafficker or others. International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation. Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as country of origin, transit or destination for victims. According to UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, children make up almost third of all human trafficking victims worldwide. Additionally, women and girls comprise 71% of human trafficking victims.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons by adopting resolution A/RES/68/192 in 2013. The resolution had declared that observance of day is necessary to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for promotion and protection of their rights.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2018