The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh on Tuesday launched LISTEN, the country's first photobook dedicated exclusively to documenting the diverse realities of human trafficking through visual storytelling and first-hand survivor accounts.
The publication was unveiled at a ceremony at the UN House in Dhaka, attended by senior government officials, UN representatives, diplomats, development partners and civil society members, who reaffirmed their commitment to preventing human trafficking and supporting survivors.
Among those present were IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels, Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Acting UN Resident Coordinator Carol Flore-Smereczniak, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Bangladesh Country Director Jihoon Kim.
Following the launch, the guests inaugurated a photography exhibition featuring selected images and stories from LISTEN, offering an insight into the lived experiences of trafficking survivors through documentary photography and personal narratives.
The publication places survivors' voices at the centre of the conversation, moving beyond statistics to highlight the human impact of trafficking. It brings together the experiences of women, men, girls and boys who have survived different forms of trafficking and exploitation, while exploring the broader social and economic factors that increase vulnerability.
Speaking at the event, Ugochi Daniels said the stories featured in LISTEN represent only a small fraction of those that remain untold.
"Every day, new stories emerge, each revealing the devastating impact of human trafficking. We do not need more stories. Meaningful action begins with listening to survivors and ensuring their experiences inform policies, strengthen prevention efforts and improve protection programs," she said.
Salahuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh had made significant progress in tackling human trafficking but stressed that more work remained.
"Combating this crime requires strong laws, effective enforcement and informed, engaged communities. LISTEN gives survivors a platform to share their experiences and reminds us of our collective responsibility to prevent trafficking and protect those at risk," he said.
Carol Flore-Smereczniak described LISTEN as a significant contribution to raising awareness of human trafficking and emphasized the importance of placing survivors' voices at the centre of efforts to prevent trafficking and protect human rights.
Jihoon Kim reaffirmed KOICA's commitment to supporting survivor-centred responses and strengthening anti-trafficking efforts through its partnership with IOM.
Developed with KOICA's support, LISTEN is part of IOM's broader efforts to prevent trafficking in persons, protect survivors and raise public awareness by promoting a deeper understanding of the different forms of trafficking and the complex circumstances that place people at risk.
The launch also marked the observance of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, highlighting the importance of sustained collaboration among the Government of Bangladesh, the United Nations, development partners and civil society to strengthen prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.
The programme concluded with guests touring the exhibition and engaging with the stories featured in the publication.
