Speakers at a workshop in the Barisal city on Monday underscored the need for formulating a sustainable plan of action against human trafficking, particularly women and children.
The district-level consultation styled 'evaluation of the national plan of action for combating trafficking in women and children 2008' was jointly organised by the district administration and the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association at the deputy commissioner's office.
The consultation, funded by the USAID and WINROCK International, is going on in 12 districts of the country aimed at preparing a new plan of action on the issue for the next three years.
Additional deputy commissioner (education and development) Palash Kanti Bala presided over the programme attended, among others, by Bithika Jahan, Diju Aktar, Zaman Aktar and Manjuara Gias of BNWLA, district women affairs officer Rashida Begum and NGO activist Mousumi Jahan.
The speakers emphasised on creating public awareness on the issue, particularly among women living in the border areas.
They had identified the major factors, including poverty, illiteracy, lack of information, unemployment, natural and man-made disasters, gender discriminations and violence, drug-addiction and cross-border trade, causing trafficking in women and children.
Sustainable poverty reduction methods, stringent laws against human trafficking, including provisions for speedy and in-camera trials, confiscations of property of the convicts, extraterritorial injunctions, legal aid for victims at home and abroad and protection of victims and witnesses were suggested by the participants for combating the problem.
Around 22 people, including lawyers, local administrative officers, law enforcers, representatives from non-government organisations and other stakeholders attended the workshop.
Source : New Age
