Briefly Description of Project

Community level understanding, sensitization and activation about causes, consequences and way-outs about human trafficking and safe migration exist in less extent and need to be improved. Prevailing measures and initiatives of counter-trafficking are inadequate to cope trafficking aptly. Hence it is important to take robust program initiatives to strengthen prevention mechanisms and mobilization of community Based on expertise and experience, BITA believes that “Bangladesh Counter Trafficking-In-Persons Program” would bring sustained change in reducing human trafficking and promoting safe migration.in the context, the organization has started the project addressing trafficking in support with WINROCK International in Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet and Moulovibazar since August 2017. Now under the modified extension program BITA has been working in Chittagong, Cox’sbazar & Moulovibazar district since May 2018 to August 2020.\

Inauguration of BITA resource centre and half way home

BITA is implementing a project named Bangladesh Counter Trafficking in Person Program by the technical support of Winrock International and financial support of USAID. The project passed its one year experience with articulating some of significant learning’s. Chittagong is mostly migration focused but Human Trafficking is not addressed adequately and lack of coordination among the service providers including Govt & Non-Govt. sectors is visible. More over there are lack of proper direction and budgetary allocation for CTC both in Upazilla and union level. No resource center is exists for given support of interested persons, at risk peoples and possible migrant. Considering all those things a resource centre and half way home establishment is essential for Chittagong region. Based on the consideration BITA started a new innovation of resource centre at Chittagong City area under 39 no city ward at Bandartila Area. The opening ceremony of the centre was held on 15 October 2018.Mr. Tom Pope, Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Office from USAID inaugurated the resource centre and Half way Home. There are about 30 participants attended into the meeting including USAID representatives, Winrock representatives, BITA representatives and community level respective.

Divisional workshop on Citizen Interface and coordination skills to Promote safe migration and Prevent Human Trafficking.

A motivational training/workshop is organized for DEMO (District Employment and Man Power office) and TTC (Technical Training Centre) district level officials under Chittagong division on 08 September 2018 at Women TTT Chittagong. The Training is organized by BITA by technical support of WinRock International and financial support by USAID. Under the WinRock intervention BC-TIP program, the event is organized where engineer B.M. Shariful Islam, principal of WTTC preside the training program. As special guests Miss Liesbeth Zonneveld Chief of Party, WinRock International and SIsir Dutta, Executive Director of BITA attended. Miss Liesbeth Zonneveld said in her speech that she is impressed to introduce with training participants including good amount of women participation and it’s shown the attitude of participants. The outlook and coordination can support to achieve the expected result regarding human trafficking and safe migration. Moreover BITA Executive Director said that we are working for long time to combat human trafficking issue in this region. This training is significant for us to explore some of direction for future intervention.

Besides participations of DEMO & TTC officials’ union CTC members, UDC representatives, peer leaders from Patiya, Anwara, Banchckali also attended The training workshop is facilitated by Khandakar Shohal Rana, Prevention and communication manager, WinRock International, Bangladesh.

Union level training with CTC

Union CTC members capacity development training is held on 31st October 2018 at 11 no. Juidondi Union parishad hall room under Anowaraupazila. In the training there are total 15 CTC members are attended. Where 12 are male and 3 are female participant. All of the participants are Juidondi union CTC member. The participants are the UP secretary, UP members, women UP ward members, marriage register, religious leader, community police, sub-assistant agriculture officer, health officer, teacher, chairman representative, family planning officer etc. The training program is inaugurated by the panel chairman Mr. Ferdousur Rahman of Juidondi union parishad. Ashok Barua, project coordinator of BC-TIP program is conducted this training program as a facilitator. The whole program is organized by provash Chandra Roy, field officer of BC-TIP program at Anowara upazila. Key Discussion of the training are: Definition of human trafficking and root cause of human trafficking, Difference between human trafficking and human smuggling, Steps and ingredients of human trafficking, Discussion about the National Plan of Action and Prevention, Protection, Prosecution Collaboration under the NPA. Role and responsibility of union CTC, Referral system, early marriage and perspective of early marriage in Bangladesh, early marriage restraint act-2017 and role and responsibility of duty bearers, Rule of High Court division against early marriage and Pre test and post test evaluation.