Every year hundreds and thousands of men, women and children are trafficked illegally all over the world; thousands from Bangladesh. Trafficking is the third largest source of profit for organised crime circles after arms and drugs, generating billions of dollars every year. Poverty, lack of education, discrimination, unemployment and misinformation all exacerbate the trade. 
 
raising awareness

To raise awareness of trafficking in 2002, we organised a photographic exhibition in nine major cities along with workshops, discussions with political leaders, and the publication and distribution of newsletters on the subject.

citizens’ committee

In 2002 we also developed an anti-trafficking citizens’ committee to monitor the situation and speak out about it to local communities. The committee was directly involved in the rescue of six young girls in 2002.

nishabda jatra – a silent yet steady journey forward

Nishabda Jatra, a film about ActionAid Bangladesh’s anti-trafficking campaign, has helped raise awareness of the trafficking of women and children among journalists, diplomats, development organisations and funding agencies. A second episode of the film will be made, focusing on how to help victims of trafficking. This film will be shown to communities in remote rural areas of Bangladesh and to ActionAid’s partner organisations.