The government unveiled a draft anti-trafficking policy to provide direction on the respective roles and responsibilities of different ministries and divisions in spearheading the fight against the inhuman trade in humans, reports UNB. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) provided technical support while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) came up with financial assistance for preparing the legal instrument for the fight against trafficking. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Khurshid Jahan Haque launched the draft of the National Anti-trafficking Strategic Plan for Action (NATSPA) at a function held at a city hotel Saturday. Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Abul Kashem presided over the function. The representatives of two international agencies were present. ADB Country Director Hua Du was present as the special guest. The NATSPA provides some goals to concerned people around to structure their programming to combat different facets of trafficking in five lead areas. The areas include prevention, rescue, repatriation, prosecution and integration. The ongoing activities of different ministries and the new interventions that the ministries could take with support of other associate ministries to address the limitations in programming are also illustrated in the comprehensive policy. Speaking on the occasion, Khurshid Jahan Haque said: "IOM is our devoted associate in preventing human trafficking. With their assistance the heinous action of trafficking in women and children will be reduced." Hua Du mentioned that South Asia has been considered one of the most vulnerable regions to human trafficking and Bangladesh dubbed as "both its source and transit route." The funding agency's country chief said: "As a committed development partner of the region, ADB has supported the efforts of South Asian governments to combat human trafficking." Anwarul Alam of the ministry of Women and Children Affairs, IOM South Asian Representative Md Shahidul Hoque and Bangladesh Television former Director General Ferdous Ara Begum also spoke on the occasion.
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