Bhutan: UNODC engages educational experts to promote awareness on Trafficking in Persons

Thimphu, Bhutan/26 January 2024: Globally, Trafficking in Persons persists as a pervasive crime, ensnaring millions in its web each year. It is a multi-faceted crime that requires multi-stakeholder approaches and responses to counter it effectively.

Since 2019, UNODC has been working with key government counterparts in Bhutan to enhance multi-stakeholder responses to counter TIP and strengthen the capacities of law enforcement officials, community leaders, young people, and criminal justice officials. Efforts have been directed towards empowering various segments of society, including law enforcement agencies, community leaders and young people.

Building on these interventions, UNODC recently joined forces with The EduYoung Happyness Education Consultancy and Placement Firm to conduct a 5-day awareness program for 34 new educational consultants and counselors in Thimphu.

The program helped educational consultants and counselors gain understanding, knowledge and tools needed to prevent human trafficking effectively. Discussions focused on the dangers associated with trafficking, risks and trends, and ways to protect young people from the different forms of exploitation that fall under the umbrella of human trafficking.

By equipping educational consultants and counselors with the understanding of trafficking risks, they become frontline advocates in preventing exploitation. Empowered with knowledge, these professionals can guide young minds to explore opportunities while safeguarding them from falling victim to the traps and loopholes set by traffickers.

The collaborative initiative marked not only a response to the immediate threats but also a proactive investment in a future where every individual can pursue their dreams without fear of exploitation.

The activity contributed to SDG 5, SDG 16 and SDG 17: https://sdg-tracker.org/