PH Shines Spotlight on Trafficking Issues at the UN

An all-women panel composed of Shandra Woworuntu, Kalliopi Mengirou, Simone Monasebian, Darlene Pajarito and Marlyn Bantoc. (New York PM photo)

From left: Kalliopi Mengirou, Darlene Pajarito, Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (New York PM photo)

NEW YORK 01 October 2018 – The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York organized a panel discussion entitled “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Ending Trafficking in Women and Girls” at the UN headquarters in New York on 20 September 2018.

Former Executive Director of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) Attorney Darlene Pajarito discussed her experiences in combatting trafficking against persons in the Philippines.

She highlighted that the Philippines achieved Tier 1 status in the US Trafficking in Persons Report because of sustained efforts on prevention, prosecution, protection and partnership with regard to trafficking in persons.

Shandra Woworuntu, a sex trafficking survivor from Indonesia, and Marlyn Bantoc, a labor trafficking survivor from the Philippines, shared their personal experiences as trafficking victims and called on Governments to strengthen efforts to fight trafficking. They also made recommendations on approaches and priorities to support survivors’ recovery and re-integration into society.

UN Women of the Ending Violence Against Women Section Chief of Kalliopi Meguirou discussed how achieving the Sustainable Development Goals can have a positive impact on the fight against trafficking in women and girls. She noted the use of technology in deceiving women and girls into trafficking, but also outlined ways on how technology may be utilized to identify and prosecute traffickers.

Simone Monasebian, Director of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime in New York, moderated the very emotional event.

UN Women and UN Office of Drugs and Crime co-sponsored the event. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpm.dfa.gov.ph/ www.un.int/philippines or https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/