BACKGROUND
In Afghanistan, trafficking of men, women, and children remains a major national concern. Impoverished and marginalized youth are especially vulnerable to trafficking and face consistent abuse, violence and harassment, exploitation, and other human rights violations. Compounding the problem, these vulnerable populations lack awareness of their basic legal rights and often, they address harassment by responding to requests for bribes and other solicitations. Consequently, patterns of exploitation, trafficking, and abuse persist unchallenged and tolerated by a community that lacks the tools to counter unlawful misconduct, which is a direct violation of human rights.
OVERVIEW
USAID in Afghanistan funds partners, such as the Youth Health and Development Organization (YHDO), to support highly vulnerable and marginalized Afghan youth. They also promote community engagement, networking, and training for the prevention of trafficking in persons, which remains pervasive in Afghanistan. The overall purpose of the project is to increase capacity of various communities in Afghanistan on combating exploitation, gender-based violence, and human rights abuse for most-at-risk and marginalized youth in the country. The target regions for the project are Kabul, Nangarhar, and Balkh Provinces.
PLANNED ACTIVITIES
Community Engagement: Establish and strengthen community networks for increased awareness and empowerment to reduce trafficking, harassment and violence against marginalized youth in Afghanistan.
Rehabilitation and Capacity Building: Develop capacities of communities for improved prevention of and response to trafficking, harassment and violence in Afghanistan and for their economic empowerment. This includes intensive skills development training and coordination with stakeholders to increase employability and reduce vulnerability of most-at-risk youth.
Research and Building Knowledge: Generate and disseminate knowledge for informed and evidence-based advocacy and enhanced national response to trafficking in persons, harassment, and gender-based violence.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Establishment of 54 youth safety networks for community engagement. 6,120 youth reached through peer-education outreach program at community level.
Delivery of 135 thematic workshops tailored to specific needs of target youth.
Employability skills enhanced for 600 marginalized youth.
Better identification and more effective response to cases of human trafficking by national and regional stakeholders, including government and civil society.
Target populations demonstrate safe practices by regularly and consistently seeking help through appropriate channels when needed.
Improved protection and empowerment of youth in high risk communities through community engagement, advocacy, and increased capacities.
Coordinated counter trafficking activities with relevant stakeholders.