The Fund for Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Persons organized an intensive training programme in Fayoum Governorate from 9 to 11 December, in cooperation with the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP) and the Ministry of Social Solidarity, to train and raise awareness among Social Women Leaders about human trafficking crimes.
The training programme marks the launch of the Fund’s training activities across the governorates of the Republic, as part of efforts to build a national network of trained community cadres capable of identifying and addressing human trafficking crimes.
The training programme targeted 30 Social Women Leaders representing all centers and cities across the Governorate, with the aim of enabling them to serve as the first line of defense in their local communities.
H.E. Ambassador Dina El Sehy, Executive Director of the Fund, and Dr. Rasha Fahmy, representative of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, delivered remarks on the various forms of trafficking in persons, the importance of training Social Women Leaders, and the effective role they play in raising awareness among families across the governorates. At the conclusion of the training programme, Ambassador Naela Gabr, Chairperson of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons, delivered a speech on the risks of human trafficking crimes, emphasizing that wherever there is exploitation of an individual, this constitutes a form of trafficking in persons.
The sessions covered an introduction to the role of the National Coordinating Committee and the various forms and manifestations of trafficking in persons, including transactional marriage, the exploitation of homeless children, forced labor, domestic work, sexual exploitation, and human organ trafficking. The sessions also addressed the role and responsibilities of the Fund and the forms of assistance it provides to victims, in addition to interactive presentations and real-life case studies.
The sessions also discussed the social and economic factors contributing to human trafficking crimes and provided a simplified explanation of the Egyptian legal framework governing efforts to combat such crimes, as outlined in Law No. 64 of 2010 on Combating Trafficking in Persons. The sessions also covered victims’ rights and witness protection, as well as communication and guidance skills to to enhance Social Women Leaders’ communication and guidance skills to effectively engage with families and communities.
On the other hand, a number of Social Women Leaders praised the content of the training programme and the wealth of information provided, which provided them with extensive and simplified information about the role of the Fund for Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Persons and the support it provides to victims, as well as the various forms of trafficking in persons and how to identify these crimes. They also highlighted the importance of learning how to protect themselves from exposure to any form of exploitation. Others praised the communication skills covered during the training and the guidance on how to raise awareness among those around them about the risks of these serious crimes and the importance of reporting them through hotlines.
On the sidelines of the training programme, H.E. Ambassador Dina El Sehy, Executive Director of the Fund, held several meetings and conducted field visits with the local government leaders in Fayoum Governorate to explore ways of meeting part of the Governorate’s requirements within the Fund’s areas of competence. H.E. Ambassador Dina El Sehy met with the First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Director of the Directorate of Social Solidarity in the Governorate. H.E. Ambassador Dina El Sehy also met with the Director of the Directorate of Endowments and the Deputy Head of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese, in addition to meeting with the Rapporteur of the National Council for Women and the Child Protection Committee official, as well as the Director of the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA).
It is worth noting that the Fund for Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Persons was established pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 349 of 2024 and was officially launched last November. The Fund provides comprehensive support to victims in cooperation and coordination with the relevant ministries and entities.
