Protecting Dignity against Human Trafficking (PDAHT)

Civil Society Strengthening, Gender, Middle East and North Africa

The Protecting Dignity against Human Trafficking (PDAHT) project increases the response to trafficking in persons (TIP) in Egypt by working with the government and civil society organizations to increase awareness of the issue and to build capacity to address it.

PDAHT is a program of the US Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) and is implemented in partnership with The Center for Development Services (CDS) in Cairo.

Goals

Support and advance government efforts to combat human trafficking and assist victims through improved awareness and policies and enhanced capacity of government shelters, hotlines, social workers and law enforcement officials Increase the awareness and technical capacity of civil-society organizations working with populations vulnerable to trafficking Strengthen cooperation and networking among civil society organizations and government agencies on human trafficking efforts and policies

Background

In recent years, the government of Egypt has begun to address human trafficking nationally. In spite of several monumental steps the government has taken to combat the issue, much work remains on many levels. At the initiation of PDAHT in July 2009, few civil society organizations formally acknowledged the issue, let alone were working to address it. As the first program to work with both the government and civil society organizations on human trafficking in Egypt, PDAHT provides timely support and training to complement and enhance the government’s initial leadership and build the foundations of critical networks among newly established victim services, advocates, media outlets, and government agencies.

Project Activities

Government Support: PDAHT works with relevant government ministries, committees, and boards to provide training events, roundtable discussions, and technical consultancy per their request.

Technical Trainings: PDAHT offers a series of trainings for non-governmental organizations, media outlets, prosecutors, and social workers working with populations vulnerable to human trafficking. The series of trainings have helped participants identify victims of trafficking and provide or locate the services they need. Trainings also assist NGOs to increase awareness of human trafficking and existing services in their communities.

Creation of Arabic Resources: In conjunction with the trainings, PDAHT creates and translates anti-human trafficking materials into Arabic. This activity addresses the need for technical information on human trafficking in Arabic and sustains the impact of the program.