Qacha's Nek __ District Child Protection Team (DCPT) members observed the world day against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) on Saturday at Ha Sekake, Thotaneng.

The observation began with a fun walk featuring placards that read "we are not for sale" and "protect a child to stop trafficking."

This year's global campaign urges accelerated action to end child trafficking, highlighting that children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, with girls being disproportionately affected.

The United Nations (UN) defines TIP as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.

The UN has designated July 30 as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of human trafficking victims' plight and promote and protect their rights.

Sergeant 'Mamatheko Bohloa, Human Trafficking Unit Focal Person, said they marked the day aligning with this year's theme, "Leave no child behind in the fight against human trafficking."

She emphasized the need for inclusive and focused efforts to protect children, addressing their risks and vulnerabilities, enhancing resilience, and strengthening protection against trafficking.

Sergeant Bohloa highlighted various forms of child trafficking, including forced labor, criminality, begging, forced marriage, shepherding, online and sexual abuse, and exploitation.

She noted that the causes of child trafficking are as diverse as the ways children are exploited, including poverty, inadequate support for unaccompanied children amidst rising migration and refugee flows, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and lack of parental care.

She urged children to protect themselves by using social media carefully to avoid becoming victims and ensuring their friends are safe.

She also encouraged them to invite the team to their gatherings for capacity-building purposes.

Ms. Nts'ebo Mopeli, Child Welfare Officer from the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development (MoGYSD), said the Department of Social Development is mandated to protect vulnerable groups, including children.

"We align with the theme," she said.

Mrs. 'Nete Makara from Beautiful Dream Society (BDS) stated that they offer services to victims, such as shelter, psychosocial support, and assistance with societal integration.

"However, currently we are on a mission to prevent by being proactive through sensitization," she added.

Mr. Fako Fako, Program Manager of Southern Mountains Association for Rural Transformation and Development (SMARTD), emphasized that children should avoid becoming victims of trafficking by not being lured and focusing on education as a human right.

He called on policymakers to frequently review laws or establish new ones where necessary to protect children.

He stressed the importance of urgent and comprehensive action to tackle this dire situation, protect vulnerable groups from exploitation, and support child victims of trafficking.

"To effectively combat this, concerted efforts are needed. States must prioritize child protection, bolster legislation, improve law enforcement, and allocate more resources to combat child trafficking. Prevention efforts should target root causes like poverty and inequality to reduce children's vulnerability," he said.

Chief Mosoeu Busa thanked stakeholders for the initiative and appealed to youth to stay engaged and avoid activities that could put them in danger.