(KPL) On July 19, in Vientiane, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Winrock International jointly commemorated the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (World TIP Day), which falls annually on July 30.

This year, World TIP Day emphasizes the urgent need for collective action on child trafficking.

Efforts through the collaborative initiatives of development partners and government agencies can help identify and assist vulnerable underage individuals, enhance legal frameworks, and allocate sufficient resources to safeguard vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.

Supported by USAID through the Laos Counter Trafficking in Persons Project (USAID Laos CTIP), this year's international campaign aims to address all forms of child trafficking under the theme "Leave No Child Behind In The Fight Against Human Trafficking." The event was attended by representatives from various government agencies, USAID, and particularly representatives of Lao youth groups, including children from SOS (Societ as Socialis) Children’s Village and ethnic minorities from different groups.

The event was opened by Mr. Mixay Sengchanthavong, Deputy Director General of the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. He stated, “This commemoration of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons aims to showcase the prevention of trafficking in persons, specifically the vulnerability of young people, particularly women and children, to trafficking. All relevant agencies must jointly work to prevent them from becoming victims.

For victims of trafficking, regardless of gender, identification and retrieval shall be granted, and they are entitled to access six rights established by the Lao government's anti-trafficking law, ensuring their protection without discrimination and embodying the spirit of leaving no one behind, especially children. In light of this concern, I strongly urge all of us to collaborate in our efforts to prevent trafficking in persons and ensure our children are protected.”

Dr. Xoukiet Panyanouvong, Chief of Party of the USAID Laos CTIP project, also stated, “USAID Laos CTIP is dedicated to supporting the Lao government in its fight against trafficking in persons.

We focus on assisting vulnerable populations and victims of trafficking, particularly women and children. The project works closely with the government, especially our main partner, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, along with other relevant national, provincial, and local sectors. Our project’s activities encompass both protection and prevention measures, ultimately aiming to reduce vulnerability to trafficking. The TIP's Day campaign serves as one of the government's preventions approaches to combating this critical issue.”

Trafficking in persons, also called human trafficking, is both a crime and a human rights abuse.

Children globally encounter various forms of trafficking, including forced labour, begging, online exploitation, and sexual abuse. Many underage individuals become trafficking victims because they are unaware of the risks associated with human trafficking and, without considering the long-term consequences, are susceptible to various forms of exploitation.

KPL