Vienna, Austria – 15 December 2021 – The Women's Network of Gender Champions against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling is an active community of female officials and male champions of women's rights working in policy making, the justice sector, law enforcement, civil society and other relevant local entities.
The Network was constituted to help address the gendered nature of human trafficking and migrant smuggling and serious underrepresentation of women working in and/or leading institutions responding to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM).
The Network's Advisory Board provides advice and guidance on the implementation of the Network's roadmap to action, facilitates cooperation and coordination with relevant national government counterparts, advocates within their sphere of influence towards institutional reform in favour of the empowerment of women and, ultimately, monitors the progress made by the Network.
Following the Women's Network first Annual General Meeting (AGM)and election/re-election of the Network's Advisory Board in November 2021, GLO.ACT convened the 4th Advisory Board meeting on 15 December 2021.
In her capacity as newly appointed Chairperson, Ibtisam Aziz welcomed newly elected and fellow board members saying, "What a difference it makes having been able to meet most of you in-person during the Women's Network AGM in Dubai. Now, we all feel more connected when we join online meetings. Let's build on the solid foundations established during the last year and use this momentum to plan for the year ahead."
Ms Aziz also pointed out that despite COVID-19 and associated challenges, the Network managed to work towards its vision and mission, culminating in the AGM held in Dubai from 9 to 11 November 2021.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Advisory Board members to discuss regular board matters and take stock. GLO.ACT Team members also took the opportunity to present the immediate outcomes of the AGM and the results of the post-AGM feedback questionnaire.
A lively discussion on implementation priorities and activities for the Network in 2022, as outlined on its updated Roadmap to Action, concluded the 4th Advisory Board meeting.
The next Advisory Board meeting is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2022, with Network activities resuming in Q1, 2022.
13 Advisory Board members (11 female; 2 male) participated in the meeting.
The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants – Asia and the Middle East (GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East) is a four-year (2018-2022), €12 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in up to five countries: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan), Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R. of Iran), Republic of Iraq (Iraq), Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Pakistan). GLO.ACT-Bangladesh is a parallel initiative also financed by the EU and implemented with IOM.
The project builds on a global community of practice set in motion in GLO.ACT 2015-2019 and assists governmental authorities and civil society organizations in targeted, innovative, and demand-driven interventions: sustaining effective strategy and policy development, legislative review and harmonization, capability development, and regional and trans-regional cooperation. The project also provides direct assistance to victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and protection mechanisms. The project is fully committed to mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender Equality considerations across all of its activities.
The project is funded by the European Union.
To find out more about the Women’s Network and GLO.ACT, please check:
GLO.ACT - Asia and Middle East
Email: unodc-glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act
