National Workshop on “Managing and Analyzing Trafficking in Persons Data”

UNODC Office for the GCC Region (OGGCR) continues to deliver capacity building to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amidst the COVID-19 crisis through the use of information and communications technology. An online workshop was delivered to the counterparts of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT) on "Managing and Analyzing Trafficking in Persons Data" on 5-6 April 2020. The two-day workshop was attended by 42 participants including 10 women from all the government entities members in the National Committee for combatting human trafficking headed by the Saudi National Human Rights Commission.

The delivery of this workshop falls within the framework of the planned activities for the OGCCR recently initiated project supporting the NCCHT in leading and coordinating national efforts towards effectively preventing, suppressing and punishing trafficking in persons (TiP), while providing victims with adequate protection, support and care, to fulfil the Kingdom’s relevant international obligations.

“The fact that the capacity-building program continues even during this unfortunate pandemic, reflects the commitment and determination of the Kingdom to improve the national response towards trafficking in persons cases,” said Dr. Hatem Aly, Representative of UNODC for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region. He further expressed that it is UNODC’s pleasure and duty to partner with the NCCHT and to provide tools and expertise to help implement these important national reforms.

This activity was important to further test the viability of capacity building delivery using the ICT under the Covid-19 situation.  It was decided that the delivery method is proven to be effective and conducive for further utilization. This workshop will be followed by a number of others in the coming weeks to reach out to the district level members of the NCCHT.