Projects

		UNICEF The Vodafone Foundations in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Vodafone KK in Japan have entered into a three year partnership with UNICEF to help end child trafficking in the Asia Pacific region and protect the thousands of children who are at risk of exploitation.

Through this partnership, UNICEF will receive AUD$3million over the next three years to fund a regional program to fight child trafficking.

UNICEF works with communities at a grass roots level to prevent trafficking and exploitation as well as at national and regional levels to improve protection for victims and children at risk. The anti-trafficking partnership will focus on Indonesia, Viet Nam, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Vulnerable children are going to benefit from the project through

• Better access to education and preventative measures
• Access to services for recovery and reintegration will be improved
• Increased awareness raising activities to strengthen the government and civil society response to trafficking and
• Legal protection, regional cooperation and monitoring systems will improve.

A YOUNG GIRL'S OWN EXPERIENCE

Boriana's father sold her into the sex trade. This is her story...

When Boriana turned 14, her father decided she should find a job in a neighbouring country to help support the family instead of attending secondary school. After contacting an employment agency, she was offered a job abroad as a waitress and promised a high salary. In actual fact, she was contractetd into sex work. After being hospitalis ed for physical abuse in the neighbouring country, Boriana called an emergency hotline and received assistance to break away from her employer, respite accommodation, counselling and care . She is now involved in alternative income generation training.

Boriana's story is just one of many of the 1.2 million children who are trafficked and forced to work in terrible conditions. Children can be freed from exploitation and abuse when they live in a "protective environment", which is one of UNICEF's priority areas in addressing trafficking.

UNICEF is creating protective environments in the Asia Pacific region by ensuring children are in school, there are laws in place to punish those who exploit children, governments are truly committed to protection and communities are aware of the risks children face.

TRAFFICKING IN THE ASIA PACIFIC

Where in Asia
Between 300,000 and 400,000 child victims of trafficking come from the Southeast Asia region. It occurs domestically, within the region and further abroad. All countries in the region are affected to varying degrees as either places of origin, destination and/or transit.

Why the numbers are so high…
The last two decades within this region have seen an increase in human migration as people search for jobs, economic advancement and a better life. This population movement has contributed to an increase in the exploitation and trafficking of children.

Where help is most needed…
Countries with the greatest unmet needs are those which the Vodafone Foundation grant will enable UNICEF to assist as a priority - Indonesia, Viet Nam, the Philippines and Malaysia. Children are frequently trafficked between their many islands as well as through these countries to be sold in industrialised countries.

WHAT IS CHILD TRAFFICKING?

What it means…
Trafficking refers to the illegal and secret transport of human beings, particularly women and  children, for the purpose of selling them or exploiting them for labour.

How many children it affects…
An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year, it is an industry that is worth almost $12 billion and it is starting to rival the illegal arms and drugs trade in profitability. Children who have
been trafficked face a range of dangers including violence and sexual abuse.

Who it affects...
Trafficking is most likely to affect girls - and while boys are involved, girls comprise the majority of victims. Efforts against trafficking should be aimed particularly at preventing vulnerable groups of children from becoming victims. In parts of Asia this becomes more important because approximately
one third of global trafficking takes place here.

Protecting children is EVERYONE'S responsibility