The International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN Migration) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Ministry of Finance of Bangladesh have signed a 24-month project to strengthen Bangladesh's efforts to prevent and respond to human trafficking facilitated
through digital technologies.
The project, "Countering Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking Through Technology", funded by the IOM Development Fund, 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 to strengthen existing national and inter-agency efforts to combat trafficking, said a press release on Monday.
Responding to growing concerns over the use of social media, online platforms, job portals and other digital technologies by traffickers to target, recruit, control and exploit people, the project will focus on three key areas including 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 ERD, and Dr Laura Tomm Bonde, chief of mission of IOM Bangladesh, in the presence of AKM Sohel, additional secretary and wing chief of UN Wing, ERD, and representatives of relevant government agencies including Ministry of Home Affairs and IOM, according to an ERD press release.
"Technology is transforming the way people communicate, seek employment and connect with opportunities, but it can also be exploited by traffickers," said Dr Laura Tomm Bonde. "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.
"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," Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky emphasized.
