OSCE Centre supports anti-trafficking seminar for orphaned girls in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, 19 October 2007 - Teaching orphaned girls about the risks of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and the recruitment methods used by traffickers are the aim of OSCE Centre-supported seminars being held in Dushanbe on 19 and 20 October.

They were organized by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe and the Government Committee on Women and Family Affairs, and conducted by the local NGO Modar.

"We have organized several seminars in schools and summer camps, but this is the first time that a seminar on human trafficking is organized in student housing where individuals at high risk of being deceived are living," said Graziella Piga, Manager of the Gender and Anti-Trafficking Programme at the OSCE Centre.

"We believe that this audience can greatly benefit from the information. Besides raising their awareness on human trafficking, we aim to create volunteer groups that can further disseminate the information and provide support to each other, contributing to the prevention of trafficking in women and children."

Nosirova Mehrinisso Teshaevna, Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs, added: "Our duty is to contribute to the fight against human trafficking by raising the awareness of young girls and providing basic information on the national legal framework."

The seminars are part of a nationwide project, entitled "Do not become the trophy of traffickers of the 21st century: to be aware means to be prepared", co-sponsored by the European Commission and the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe to complement the Tajik Government's efforts to combat trafficking in human beings.

Project activities include the production of campaign materials, training of trainers sessions, establishment of volunteer groups among children, information campaigns among schoolchildren and youth groups, and actions by young people against human trafficking.