Trafficking survivors raise their voices

On 7 June 2015, 27 survivors from 10 different townships gathered and submitted their concerns and raised their voices to the authorities and agencies providing anti-trafficking services.

World Vision Myanmar in collaboration with The Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking In Persons (CBTIP) organized the Survival Gathering event from 3 to 7 June 2015 with the objectives to enable the survivors to:

• Share their experiences
• Encourage them to fight for justice and equal rights
• Help identify the gaps and challenges of anti-trafficking intervention

Prior to the event, the group spent four-days together to share about their experiences, learn from each other and cross learning. Based on their experiences, the survivors made recommendations to be voiced to the decision makers.

The survivors presented their concerns and recommendation through drama, illustration and melodious call and response presentation. Their stories were also presented in a video, narrated by them.

Personnel from the CBTIP, Department of Social Welfare, Immigration, Labour, Justice, Attorney General, General Administration, UN, INGOs, and the media representatives came together to honor the event and listen to the voices of the survivors.

“We are implementing the anti-trafficking program using the “Survivors’ voices centered approach”. So, it is very important to hear their concerns in order to address the gaps and plan for better and effective program in the future,” Police Brigadier General U Win Naing Tun addressed in his opening remarks.

The respective concerned government departments stood up and shared about their effort in combating human trafficking and gave a voice to address the concerned raised by the survivors.

During the entire program, popular singers were invited to visit and gave encouraging words to the survivors. A popular Reggae singer as well as an activist in combating human trafficking in person, Saw Po Kwar sang a song together with the survivors.

“This is the important moment that we have to act upon. The work that we do now is important. It is vital that we join hands together to face the difficulties. Like “Pyit Taing Taung” (meaning ever stand), let’s all stand up again even if we fall,” encouraged Saw Po Kwar, a Myanmar Reggae singer.     

The gathering of the survivors and allowing them to share their experiences gives the agencies working for anti-trafficking the facts they need to take appropriate action to combat trafficking.

See more photos from the event