Migration and human trafficking

To protect arriving migrants from corona, we distribute protective masks at border crossings and set up hand washing stations (Photo: AWO International/Needs/Nepal)

Disaster preparedness in earthquake affected communities on Lombok

Many months after the earthquake of 2018, the event continues to have an impact. In this context, the willingness of the population to learn how to take precautionary measures and better prepare for future natural forces is especially great. This is one of the contributing factors to the success of the project that AWO International's partner organization, SHEEP Indonesia, is implementing with local actors.

South Asia • India

New perspectives for the residents in the red light district of Kolkata

Bowbazaar is one of the oldest and largest red light districts in the metropolis of Kolkata in West Bengal, India. Here we work with our partner organisation South Kolkata Hamari Muskan, SKHM for short. The project aims to reduce gender-based violence and offers women the opportunity to go to a “Safe Space”. In addition, we provide health care and education and show the residents alternative employment opportunities.

South Asia • India

Utthan - a collective of survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation

In Kolkata and District 24 Parganas North in West Bengal, India, we work with the partner organisation Sanjog (Bangla for "connection"). The project is about the establishment of a collective and self-help groups by and for survivors of human trafficking.

AWO International supports by supplying hygiene products and water tanks (Photo: AWO International)

Protection from corona in the Nepal-India border region

A vast movement of Nepalese labour migrants returning to their home country was triggered by the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic in India. Tens of thousands of people set out with their belongings on a long journey with an uncertain outcome; partly by bus, partly by bicycle or on foot.

Advice and information on safe migration routes for potential migrants (pic: WosCC/AWO International)

Corona emergency aid in Nepalese quarantine centres

In Nepal, provisional quarantine centres were set up for the returning migrant workers from India. The infrastructure of these health centres is quite precarious and the care of the people is insufficient. AWO International supports the project by supplying hygiene products and running an awareness campaign.

South Asia • India

Human trafficking and trauma - a way out through dance and movement therapy

In the foothills of the metropolis of Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal, AWO International works with the partner organization Kolkata Sanved against human trafficking. The project focuses on healing and empowering affected and disadvantaged women and girls through the medium of dance and movement therapy.

Promotion of livelihoods and income security through beekeeping for returning and potential migrants (pic: NEEDS/AWO International)

How we stand up for women in Makwanpur

Preventing human trafficking and promoting the political and socio-economic participation of women: This is what AWO International and its partner organisation Women Skill Creation Centre, WoSCC for short, are working for in Makwanpur District in Nepal.

Awareness raising on 'safe migration' and 'prevention of human trafficking' via radio (pic: HuRF/AWO International)

Chances for a better future in the Far West of Nepal

The Far West of Nepal is home to a large proportion of those Nepalese who migrate to India in search of work. There is a lack of programmes in this region to strengthen the rights of migrants, to create prospects for them to stay and to combat human trafficking. Our partner organization National Environment and Equity Development Society, NEEDS for short, is the only organization working on the issue of safe migration in Doti and Kanchanpur Districts.

Lobbying for safe migration: IMUMI demonstrates to draw attention to the death of migrant children (Photo: IMUMI)

Youth groups for social change in Ilam

In Ilam, a district bordering the tea plantations in Darjeeling, India, AWO International works together with the Human Rights Forum Nepal, HuRF for short. The project focuses on strengthening youth groups who work for safe migration and against human trafficking in their communities.

Central America • Mexico

Lobby work to strengthen the rights of young migrants and returnees

The focus of our Mexican project partner IMUMI is mainly on lobbying. Together with a network of NGOs, IMUMI campaigns for the allocation of protection measures for unaccompanied minors and advocates access to education for children and young people of transnational families.

OCDIH staff inform migrants about safe escape routes (Photo: OCDIH)

Central America • Guatemala • Honduras

A solidarity alliance to educate and support migrant women

The situation in Honduras has deteriorated dramatically since the 2009 coup d'état, with migration figures rising steadily ever since. OCDIH educates potential migrants about possible migration routes, their rights and provides them with shelter thanks to families in solidarity and through cooperation with ACOMUMSAM.

[Translate to Englisch:] Erfolgreiche Kleinunternehmen: Der junge Mann verdient sein Geld nun mit dem Verkauf von Milkshakes (Foto: AWO International)

Central America • Honduras

Combating violence and poverty as central causes of flight

The central causes of flight in Honduras include violence, poverty and a lack of prospects. Together with its project partner OCDIH, AWO International is making a contribution to combating the causes of flight in the region. Educational and income-generating measures are intended to give young people and young adults new perspectives for a self-determined life.

[Translate to Englisch:] Perspektiven schaffen: Die Migrant*innen nehmen an Workshops teil, um eigenes Geld verdienen zu können (Foto: AWO International)

Central America • Guatemala

Strengthening the rights of migrant women in Guatemala

Every day, 350 Guatemalans go on one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world to Mexico or the USA. Together with its project partner ECAP, AWO International explains the migration routes and rights of migrants and provides psychosocial support for returnees and family members in their communities of origin.

Young people sell their self-made candles and shampoos at the market (Photo: AWO International)

Central America • Guatemala

Labour migration in Guatemala

For around 100 000 Guatemalans every year, migration is the only way out of poverty - and this also applies to the district of Ixcán. Together with our partner organization ACCSS, we therefore educate potential migrant women about safe migration, provide psychosocial care for family members and migrant returnees, and work with youth organizations to promote alternatives to labour migration.

A group therapy by our partner organisation Talikala for girls who have been victims of sexual abuse. (Photo: AWO International)

The CMA team at a case conference. (Photo: AWO International)

Fight against sexual exploitation of girls and women in Davao

Poverty and unemployment are the main causes that girls and women in Davao end up in prostitution or become victims of human trafficking. Many girls are only 14 years old. Together with our partner organization Talikala, we work to protect women and girls from sexual exploitation.

Participants in a training course for organisational management from our partner organisation PPK. The former migrant women want to work against human trafficking in community organisations. (Photo: AWO International)

Strengthening the rights of domestic workers in migration

About 10 percent of the Philippine population live and work abroad as migrants. This is mainly due to poverty and a lack of income opportunities. Many women work as domestic helpers, where they are often exposed to abuse and exploitation. Together with our partner organization Center for Migrant Advocacy, we work to protect migrant domestic workers and their rights.

Migrants in transit are provided with a warm meal by the hostel La Sagrada Familia (Photo: UMUN)

Safe migration for migrants from Lombok

Extortion, exploitation and violence are violations of rights that happen to many migrant workers. In their search for a better life for themselves and their families they often end up in extremely precarious working conditions. Together with our partner organization PPK, we work for the protection and rights of migrant workers.

Central America • Mexico

Strategies for the protection of migrants

Mexico experiences the entire migration cycle: Every year about 450,000 migrants from Central America cross the country, many of them staying in the country. But thousands of Mexicans are also on their way themselves. But migration harbours many dangers. Together with our partner organization UMUN, we are carrying out a project to reduce risks.

The boat, with which Norbhen Costańo goes out, is rented. One day's catch is barely enough to feed his family. (Photo: Mark Henry/AWO International)

[Translate to Englisch:] Teilnehmende eines Stakeholderdialogs diskutieren Strategien für sichere Arbeitsmigration. MMCEAI brachte 52 Vertreter*innen lokaler Regierungsstellen und Gemeindeorganisationen zusammen. (Foto: AWO International)

Plastic waste instead of fish, exploitation instead of income

The coastal communities of the Philippine province of Sarangani depend heavily on fishing. But commercial fishing fleets empty fish stocks and fishermen lose their livelihoods. If they are hired for industrial fishing, they often fall victim to exploitation and human trafficking.

In trainings and workshops children and young people learn about their rights and how they can fight for them. (Photo: AWO International)

Protecting migrant workers from exploitation and abuse

Every day, women from the island of Mindanao leave their families to migrate abroad for work. For many of them, this step ends in exploitation and abuse. Together with our partner organization MMCEAI we create a safer migration.

Our partner organisation INFEST offers education and information on the subject of secure migration as well as workshops and training courses. In this way, former migrants or family members can pass on their experiences and knowledge on the subject. (Photo: AWO International)

Halting child trafficking and sexual exploitation

Time and again, children and women on the Philippine island of Mindanao become victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. In addition, cases of sexual abuse on the Internet are becoming more frequent. Together with our partner organization Child Alert Mindanao, we implement protective measures and education programmes and strengthen the rights of children and women.

Members of the migrant women's group, "Pada Patuh" in Ketapan Raya Village, hold a discussion with children of migrant women to identify and address problems. (Photo: AWO International)

Strengthening rights for migrant workers across borders

Hundreds of thousands of people leave Indonesia every year in search of an income. Many of them run the risk of becoming victims of abuse, exploitation and human trafficking. Together with our partner organization INFEST, we are committed to safe migration and decent working conditions in Indonesia and Malaysia.