ISLAMABAD: The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) has launched civil society organisations’ coalition on combating trafficking in person and modern day slavery in Pakistan to join hands in the battle against human trafficking and bonded labour.

The organisations which are part of the coalition are having the specific expertise to adopt approach to help reduce trafficking in persons (TIP) cases.

SSDO is working on combating human trafficking and bonded labour through capacity enhancement, strengthening coordination and awareness raising among all stakeholders including parliamentarians, law enforcement agencies, officials of concerned government departments, judiciary and prosecution, academia, media, victim service providers and potential victim communities.

Contributing more to the society, Sustainable Social Development Organisation is now moving towards working on reducing rate of trafficking in person and to provide better victim protection while developing a comprehensive cross-sectoral approach for prevention, protection and prosecution of TIP cases along with building partnership with specific organisations and donors working on TIP.

The basic purpose of the network is to work in collaboration on TIP and support each other’s efforts. As there is huge issue of shrinking space so members of network can also join hands in securing larger funding opportunities. Sustainable Social Development Organisation will host the secretariat of the network.

Currently, there are around 15 members of the coalition from all four provinces which are working on trafficking in person, legal aid, victim protection, psychosocial support, women and child care and bonded labour.

The organisations which are part of this coalition include Baidarie, Community first for Integrated Development (CFID), Community Initiatives for Development in Pakistan (CIDP), Complete Human Resource Solutions (CHRS), Educational and Youth Empowerment Society (EYES), EDH, Hari Welfare Foundation, Legal Aid Society (LAS), NARI Foundation, Sahil, Sanjh Foundation, Society for the Protection of Rights of Child (Sparc), Sudhar, Women Peace and Gender Inclusion (WPGI) and Youth Association for Development (YAD).

Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director SSDO, said: “I take pride in contributing to the society by playing a role in curbing this heinous crime of human trafficking which is also a violation of human rights.

“We have launched coalition of organisations to collectively work on reducing TIP cases.

“Prior to this, we also launched a helpline to support the victims and spreading awareness among the masses across Pakistan. I urge everyone to join us in this cause.”

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2022