One in three victims of human trafficking is a child.
In sub-Saharan Africa, children represent more than 60 per cent?of detected trafficking victims, according to the . The most widespread form of exploitation is?forced labour (forced begging, work in gold mines, domestic work, forced marriage, etc.).
This is why the theme chosen for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons?focused on child trafficking:?"Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking". This day was also part of the "Blue Heart" campaign, seen as an opportunity to take stock of the trafficking situation in West Africa.
The United Nations Information Centre in Dakar (UNIC Dakar) supported the Organization’s communication efforts in the country for the?World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
An event?was held in the presence of all partners, including the Ambassadors of Nigeria and Switzerland.
On the sidelines, journalists spoke with?Dr. Amado Philip de Andrés, UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) Regional Representative for West and Central Africa, who stressed the importance of regional involvement in protecting?human rights, regardless of nationality.
On this occasion, UNIC Dakar collected the testimony of a survivor?of trafficking. As a child, he was the victim of forced begging and?labour before running away and living on the streets for more than a decade in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. .
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons?event was organized by the Regional Office for West and Central Africa of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office for West Africa of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, National Cell for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons of the Ministry of Justice of Senegal, and Center?for Research and Awareness on Human Trafficking.
