The International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance have signed a 24-month project to strengthen Bangladesh’s efforts to prevent and respond to human trafficking facilitated through digital technologies.
The project, titled “Countering Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking Through Technology,” is funded by the IOM Development Fund and will be implemented by IOM Bangladesh in partnership with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The project aims to support longer-term efforts to prevent cyber-enabled human trafficking in Bangladesh. Its findings and training resources are expected to contribute to future policy and program development and strengthen existing national and inter-agency efforts to combat trafficking.
In response to growing concerns over traffickers using social media, online platforms, job portals and other digital technologies to target, recruit, control and exploit people, the project will focus on 3 key areas: building evidence and knowledge, strengthening law enforcement capacity, and improving digital literacy in communities.
The agreement was signed by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, and Laura Tomm Bonde, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh, in the presence of A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary and Wing Chief of the UN Wing at ERD, and representatives of relevant government agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM.
“Technology is transforming the way people communicate, seek employment and connect with opportunities, but it can also be exploited by traffickers,” said Laura Tomm Bonde, Chief of Mission of IOM Bangladesh.
“This project will help strengthen the evidence, skills and community awareness needed to ensure that technology becomes part of the solution rather than a tool for exploitation,” she added.
Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, said: “The project will contribute to the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts to prevent the misuse of technology for human trafficking while promoting technology as a means to counter human trafficking.”
“Its overall outcome is to enable government stakeholders and communities to take informed action to prevent, respond to and mitigate the risks of cyber-enabled human trafficking,” he said.
