Egypt, UN Mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons

World Day against Trafficking in Persons is observed worldwide on the 30th of July to highlight the importance of raising awareness about this serious crime. This year's global campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons calls for urgent action to end child trafficking with the theme "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking."

Child trafficking involves exploiting children in various ways, which is a severe violation of their human rights. It has devastating effects on the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development of children, often leading to lifelong health issues, severe trauma-related disorders, anxiety, depression, and difficulties in social integration.

Children make up a significant portion of trafficking victims globally, with girls being disproportionately affected. Shockingly, 1 in 3 victims of human trafficking globally is a child.

In line with this theme, an awareness-raising community event was organized in the Swiss club in Cairo by the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), along with the support of various international organizations like IOM, UNICEF, and UNODC. The event aimed to raise awareness about the dangers and forms of trafficking in persons, emphasizing the importance of community and family involvement. It included various activities for children and parents, awareness-raising videos, games, and the distribution of stories/comics and coloring books.

NCCPIM&TIP, an inter-ministerial committee affiliated with the Prime Minister, is responsible for coordinating national and international policies and programs to combat trafficking in persons. At the event, NCCPIM&TIP emphasized the collective responsibility to end trafficking in children and preserve their rights to a safe childhood and future. The Committee called for the unity of all resources, nationally and internationally, to dismantle trafficking networks and support vulnerable communities at high risk of this crime.

The Committee also took this occasion to highlight the national efforts and collaboration between concerned national and international partners. It stressed the urgency to accelerate action to end human trafficking.