Skopje, 30 May 2023 (MIA) - In 2022, nine human trafficking victims were identified, of whom eight women and one man. Seven of them were children aged 14-17. According to the type of exploitation, six are identified as forced marriage while two as sexual exploitation, of which one is online exploitation. In 2023, three girls were targeted for sexual exploitation, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jovanka Trenchevska told regional conference organized by the Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative – MARRI titled “Successful Together! Regional Insights and Approaches on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings” in Skopje on Tuesday.

Minister Trenchevska said victims must be better protected and supported.

"Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and represents a threat to the freedom and security for every society. Our country and regional states often play a role in each of the stages - origin, transit or destination. Let me highlight the need for joint action against human trafficking, fighting against one of the darkest realities in the world today, one that traps a large number of women and men, girls and boys," said Trenchevska.

The Ministry, she added, has increased its financial support to the Center for victims of human trafficking, but rehabilitation is not a short programme, it requires a long-term investment in order to ensure assistance, support, treatment, and training that is necessary so that victims start a normal, productive and autonomous life.

"This investment must involve significant enlargement of accommodation capacities, safe return of victims and prevention of their re-victimization. This requires a coordinated response by state institutions, law enforcement and civil society organizations of the countries concerned, as well as cooperation among international organizations," said Trenchevska.

The Ministry's Sector for Equal Opportunities is the coordinating authority of the National Referral Mechanism for human trafficking victims, which represents a framework for cooperation and coordinated approach among social services, police, labor inspection and the civil society.

Photo: MIA