Anti-Trafficking Multi-Media Campaign and the

National Anti-Trafficking Network Platform

The WomenAid Health & Gender Equity Centre team successfully implemented an anti-trafficking project (funded by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and WomenAid International) aimed at increasing awareness of irregular migration and trafficking of women, youth and children in and through Georgia.  It achieved this by establishing a Georgian Anti-Trafficking Network Platform (over 90 participant organizations) and organizing Round Table Dialogues that facilitated cross sector dialogue between key players and stakeholders.

The Anti-Trafficking Platform members worked together to promote awareness on the issue and focused on prevention and protection strategies for vulnerable sectors of Georgian society.  An important part of WomenAid’s anti-trafficking activities was the development of a government-endorsed leaflet and poster that provides vital information on the way trafficking gangs work and how those young girls and women most at risk can protect themselves.  The Platform members drafted ‘Safety Guidelines’ for publication in the “Be Safe! Be Smart!” leaflet for distribution to those considered to be at risk.  Parliamentary Committee endorsement of the Safety Guidelines leaflet was obtained.  Another WomenAid initiative was the gathering together of professionals working in the press, TV and radio sectors and, with their support, establishing a Media Advocacy Platform that would use their professional skills and knowledge of the media to participate in the development of civil society by promoting awareness and stimulating debate on issues of critical concern. Consequently very extensive media coverage was obtained through the support of all the press, radio and TV channels in the country.

The “Be Smart! Be Safe!” Campaign is now established as an annual campaign and receives the support of the Georgian State TV and Radio channels which the WomenAid “Be Smart! Be Safe!” Public Service Advertisement (PSA) each year for a period of 30 days. The Georgian government has asked WomenAid to distribute several hundred thousand WomenAid “Be Smart! Be Safe!” anti-trafficking information leaflets throughout the country.