Pretoria, South Africa - 29 October 2018 - UNODC, under the framework of Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT), and in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, convened a workshop on the validation of the National Policy Framework (NPF) against Trafficking in Persons from 29 to 30 October 2018. The National Policy Framework against Trafficking in Persons seeks to ensure all government departments and other engaged actors from civil society are collectively guided in the implementation of anti-trafficking responses. In particular, the NPF intends to support the implementation of thePrevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons, 2013 (Act No. 7 of 2013), herewith the Act, which aims to ensure that the criminal justice system is effective in prosecuting the criminals and protects the victims of trafficking in persons, promoting a cooperative and aligned response among all government departments, as well as with civil society organizations engaged in assisting and supporting trafficked persons. As a strategic planning tool, the national policy framework is also key to secure political and financial support and to ensure rational use of resources and effective responses.
Objectives of the workshop were to:
During the opening ceremony of the workshop, Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Hon. John Jeffrey said, "We believe that our NPF's strategy and action plan should be informed by internationally recognized anti-trafficking guiding principles such as a human rights/victim-centered approach, a multi-disciplinary approach, government ownership, civil society participation, a gender-sensitive approach and overall sustainability". He further said, "The strategy should address the four pillars of anti-trafficking interventions or components, namely prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership".
Speaking about the National Policy Framework validation workshop, Mr. Buti Kulwane, Deputy Director: Victim Empowerment, Department of Social Development said, "The national policy framework against trafficking in persons (TIP) will now drive the implementation of activities in response to TIP as per the plan of action that has been validated". He went on to say that: "The national policy framework will also strengthen a well-coordinated multi stakeholder and victim centred approach to trafficking in persons".
Some of the outcomes of the workshop were:
Workshop participants included the National Inter-Sectorial Committee for Trafficking in Persons (NICTIP), Provincial Trafficking in Persons Task Teams (PTT), Civil Society Organizations. Also taking part were our donor, the European Union, and project-implementing partner IOM.
The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a four-year (2015-2019), €11 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). GLO.ACT aims to provide assistance to governmental authorities and civil society organizations across 13 strategically selected countries: Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine. GLO.ACT works with the 13 countries to plan and implement strategic national counter-trafficking and counter smuggling efforts through a prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships approach.
It supports the development of more effective responses to trafficking and smuggling, including providing assistance to victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and direct support mechanisms.
For more information, please contact:
Banele Kunene, National Project Officer,
banele.kunene@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act.