Dhaka, Bangladesh - 8 December 2021 – Gender plays a role in the factors that contribute to vulnerability in the context of both trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), including through gender-based expectations, gender-based violence and inequitable access to resources, opportunities and protection. Yet, women are gravely underrepresented in institutions responding to these crimes. Along with the political commitment required for progress in preventing and effectively combatting TIP and SOM, female empowerment through the active inclusion of female officials in these efforts is fundamental, helping shift the paradigm from women as victims, to women as powerful agents of change.
To foster an inclusive dialogue around female participation, leadership and empowerment in the criminal justice sector, UNODC under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants – Bangladesh (GLO.ACT-Bangladesh) organized an in-person consultative meeting on 8 October 2021 to discuss the establishment of a national Women’s Network of Gender Champions against TIP and SOM. 18 (16 female/2 male) champions of women’s rights working in policymaking, the justice sector, law enforcement, leaders of existing networks, civil society representatives and other relevant local entities actively attended the consultation.
Opening the meeting, Aimée Comrie, UNODC GLO.ACT Project Coordinator, addressed the problem of women not being put into operational roles in most of the cases. She also appreciated that irrespective of such pre-existing assumptions, women are breaking through glass ceilings to achieve their respective positions. Meanwhile, Mahdy Hassan, GLO.ACT-Bangladesh National Project Coordinator, provided an overview of GLO.ACT-Bangladesh, its objectives and achievements, stating that “UNODC is working relentlessly to achieve the goal of gender empowerment and bring changes through education and policy mechanisms.”
In her presentation, Giulia Iovino, GLO.ACT Project Support Officer, briefed the participants on the meeting that the GLO.ACT team held with H.E. Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, M.P., Hon’ble Speaker of the National Parliament of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, emphasizing her support towards the establishment of a National Women’s Network in Bangladesh. She then outlined the main features and activities of the existing GLO.ACT Women’s Network.
In the open discussion, the participants welcomed the establishment of a national Women’s Network and shared their experiences and recommendations. Advocate Salma Ali, President of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, expressed the necessity of advocacy in the destination countries, especially in the Gulf region. In support of this input, Aroma Dutta, Member of the Parliament, commended the initiative taken by UNODC and urged for a collaborative effort between the ministries and the future network to achieve concrete goals. Amena Begum, Additional DIG of Bangladesh Police, highlighted UNODC's value in capacity building and presented a number of activities carried out in the framework of the Bangladesh Police, which includes lodging more than 132 TIP cases and rescuing many victims of TIP. Participants further recommended that the National Women’s Network ensured the inclusion of male champions of women’s right. Suggestions for including representatives from private bodies were also put forward by IOM.
Next steps include the organization of a follow-up meeting to design a Roadmap to Action and the formation of an Advisory Board, which will actively contribute to the strategy of the network and advise on activities and effective context-tailored approaches.
The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants - Bangladesh (GLO.ACT - Bangladesh) is a 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). GLO.ACT-Bangladesh builds on a global community of practice set in motion in GLO.ACT 2015-2019 in 13 partner countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Through targeted, innovative and demand-driven interventions, the GLO.ACT aims to support the Government of Bangladesh and civil society organizations to more effectively fight the crimes of human trafficking and migrant smuggling across the country. The project works on developing evidence-based information on trafficking and smuggling patterns and trends, legislative review and harmonization, capability development of criminal justice actors, and international cooperation. The project also provides direct assistance to victims of human trafficking and migrants in vulnerable situations 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.
This project is funded by the European Union.
For more information, please contact:
Mahdy Hassan: muhammad.hassan@un.org
GLO.ACT Bangladesh
Twitter: @glo_act