From 28 to 31 October, the 2024 Central Asian Youth Forum on Combating Human Trafficking convened young leaders, activists, and experts from across the region to address the gendered aspects of trafficking in human beings. The forum, held in the Issyk-Kul province of Kyrgyzstan, concluded with the development of a regional co-operation plan for 2025, along with a media campaign.
Participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan gained insights into the gendered aspects of human trafficking, the risks of illegal immigration, and international labour and human rights standards. Recognising trafficking as a form of gender-based violence, they explored prevention strategies to enhance anti-trafficking policies in the region.
The forum served as a networking platform for Central Asian youth and provided them with hands-on experience while sharing good practices to strengthen regional efforts in the fight against human trafficking.
Dr. Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Human Trafficking, highlighted the importance of the role of youth: "Young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative thoughts, and a deep understanding of social media and technology-tools that traffickers often exploit but which can also be powerful weapons against them."
The event was organised by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Migration and Human Trafficking Council under the Speaker of the Kyrgyz Republic Parliament, in collaboration with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and the Solidarity Center.
