‘Technology-based solution required to tackle changing modus operandi of human trafficking’

Kathmandu / July 30: Representatives from the government, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the survivors of trafficking in persons (TIP) have highlighted the urgency to find technology based solution to tackle the changing ways that human traffickers have been using to lure vulnerable people particularly girls and women.

The phenomenal growth and innovations in technology has not only eased the day-to-day life of the people, but also created problems in many social arenas. As stated in this year’s theme of the Word Day against Trafficking in Persons (WDAT) the ‘Use and Abuse of Technology’, speakers emphasized on the growing potential and threat brought about by technology that can both enable and impede human trafficking.

Although the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided, its impact on the economy is still adverse and it will take time for recovery. The global pandemic that resulted in pay cut and joblessness heightened the vulnerability of mostly marginalized people.

Addressing a program organized by Hamro Samman, Winrock International in the capital on Saturday to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, Acting Chief of Party of Hamro Samman Sabina Pradhan said, “After the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, the use of technology shot up. Perpetrators have been taking advantage of the growing use of technology for human trafficking. Therefore, our efforts should focus on combating human trafficking using technology to trace suspected perpetrators and investigate into the cases of trafficking more effectively.”

Dr Karuna Onta of the British Embassy in Kathmandu in her keynote speech said that all need to be clever in using technology for their benefits as technology is going to remain for long. “Technology based solutions will be the need of the day to find innovate approaches to educate people to seek information and make informed migration decisions, use technology to support on-line reporting, identify criminals, and increase government accountability,” she said.

The onus of regulating the technology lies with the government and the people also should be aware of the dark side of the technology in order to be protected and to safeguard others from being trafficked. The representatives also discussed the heightened vulnerability, renewed challenges, and possible collaborative solutions to combat TIP.

In order to support the government in its fight against TIP, Hamro Samman has been providing technical support to the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens to develop an integrated TIP Data System. Once functional, it is expected to systematize and ease the data collection on TIP and the analysis of the data will enable the government to adopt more effective methods to combat TIP, according to the organizers.

Hamro Samman’s implementing partners have also been developing various tools to raise awareness among people against TIP. Viamo Nepal has developed interactive voice response game called ‘Wanji’ and 32100 messaging. These technology-based activities raise awareness among the foreign migrant workers and potential migrant workers.

Likewise, Hamro Samman’s awareness campaign partners Digital Broadcast Technology Equal Access (DBI EA) has developed and used various programs and tools to raise public awareness for protecting the vulnerable community from being trafficked. Radio programs in Tharu, Tamang and Nepali languages, video public service announcements (PSAs) and animated social media posts of DBI EA are few examples.

Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens (MOWCSC) Uma Regmi and Under Secretary at the MoWCSC Bharat Sharma spoke during the event followed by a panel discussion on the ‘Use and Abuse of Technology: Challenges and Opportunities.’

The program was attended by more than 90 people representing the trafficking survivors and their networks, government agencies, CSOs, the private sector. Hamro Samman is jointly funded by USAID and UK aid to address human trafficking, specifically in the foreign labor migration and entertainment sectors.