Labor Minister, Charles H Gibson reveals that President Dr. George M Weah plans to meet with the 112 female victims of human trafficking from Oman and other Asian countries.
In 2022, these women received training and empowerment, through the collaborative efforts of the Liberian government and its partners, in the fight against human trafficking.
Delivering a special statement in commemoration of the World Day against Human Trafficking issued Monday, July 31, 2023, Minister Gibson urged members of the Anti-Human Trafficking Taskforce of Liberia to continue supporting the survivors, ensuring that their talents are not left untapped.
He expressed concern over the widespread sexual and labor exploitation faced by the majority of these trafficked females and called for collective efforts to discourage such abusive behavior by their slave masters.
Minister Gibson emphasized the importance of caution and awareness for trafficking victims, advising others not to be lured by opportunities that may lead to enslavement in foreign countries.
He highlighted President Weah’s commitment to the welfare of Liberian citizens worldwide, emphasizing that the Liberian government is resolute in addressing the needs of its people, regardless of their location.
Meanwhile, in a special statement issued by President Weah, trafficking within the country from rural to urban areas is becoming prevalent, and the majority of in-country trafficking involves children.
He said most traffickers operate independently and some are even family members who promise poorer relatives a better living condition for their children, while some promise young women a better life for themselves.
President Weah said that trafficking in persons is done with threat of the use of force or other means of coercion, adoption, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or from a position of vulnerability.
He noted, “It is an act which infringes upon the human rights of an individual and poses a grave threat to human dignity and must be stopped. “That is why the Government of Liberia has been meeting prescribed standards for the elimination of trafficking, making significant strides by demonstrating and increasing efforts, compared to previous years, to ensure this happens.
He maintained that the government has therefore made unrelenting strides to address and eradicate human trafficking throughout and within the borders of Liberia and continues to do more, as a national obligation.
