[women-rights] OSCE Office organizes workshop on combating trafficking in Armenia

YEREVAN, 20 October 2006 -- Developing and implementing a national
strategy and action plan to combat trafficking in human beings and best
practices in the field were discussed at a workshop that ended in Yerevan
today.

The two-day event, organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, brought
together Government officials and representatives of international and
non-governmental organizations.

The event followed a trafficking responses assessment initiated by the
OSCE Office between 9 and 20 October. Experts Hana Snajdrova from the
Czech Interior Ministry and Barbara Sidoti, formerly with the
International Centre for Migration Policy Development, were invited to
assess the Armenian trafficking responses and conduct the workshop.

"A national strategy is an important tool which can help strengthen the
capacity of the State and society to combat human trafficking," said
Barbara Sidoti.

"In order to be effective, the strategy has to involve both State
institutions and civil society. Serious efforts are required from the side
of the Government to co-ordinate the process and support it by allocating
the necessary resources."

Participants discussed how a national strategy can lead to an effective
plan of action and highlighted the importance of progress indicators and
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for periodical revisions of the
strategy and the action plan.

The Armenian national strategy to combat trafficking in human beings
expires in December, and authorities are working on the next plan for
2007-2009.

OSCE Press release