World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed on July 30 in a bid to raise awareness about the ordeal of human trafficking victims and the ways to safeguard their rights. Human Trafficking is a glaring issue that still lingers across the world. The issue, with time, especially after the pandemic, has transformed into a full-blown crisis. With the rising usage of technology, this crisis has only gotten worse. As per reports, every year, thousands of men, women, and children fall victim to this grave violation of human rights.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been at the helm of observing this day as an annual event. This arm of the organisation has been collecting data and analysing ways to protect the rights of the victims since 2003.
According to the United Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Labour Office (ILO), there are currently nearly 25 million victims – women, men and children – of this trafficking worldwide for sexual exploitation and forced labour. Human trafficking is a gross violation of human dignity and fundamental rights, and targets vulnerable populations such as migrants and refugees in particular. One of the most concerning trends is the growing portion of children among the victims, which has tripled in 15 years, according to UNODC. This crime reportedly generates more than $150 billion annually worldwide. It is increasingly considered a global security issue as it fuels corruption, irregular migration and terrorism.
