A blueprint for combatting human trafficking
This article was written by Anu Upadhayay, former project coordinator, Plan International Nepal. For more information on Plan’s work, please reach out to David Ehle, senior advisor, monitoring, evaluation, research and learning at [email protected].
Human traffickers exploit millions worldwide, preying on society’s most vulnerable and devastating communities. In Nepal, where trafficking often intersects with poverty, migration and systemic gaps, bold and innovative solutions are critical. Over five years, the PROTECT project, part of Plan International’s We Are the Girls campaign, tackled these challenges head-on.
Launched in 2019, PROTECT operated in 13 urban and rural municipalities across Banke, Makwanpur and Sunsari districts. The project mobilized 370 youth ambassadors, reactivated anti-trafficking committees, educated more than 13,200 people at migration hotspots and rescued over 800 individuals from trafficking situations. More than a project, PROTECT became a movement — transforming into a community-led campaign driven by youth leaders and supported by local governments and NGOs.
As Plan continues to expand its youth advocacy initiatives globally, PROTECT offers key insights into what works in youth-led, evidence-based programming. Here are 10 lessons we learned from PROTECT — insights that highlight what works, spark action and showcase the power of collaboration to create lasting, systemic change.
1. Build resilient community systems
Reviving nonfunctional local coordination committees against human trafficking was a cornerstone of the project. PROTECT trained committee members in planning, data collection and resource allocation. These committees now bridge gaps between governments and communities in all 13 municipalities — tracking trafficking data and securing funding for prevention efforts.
Takeaway: Sustainable systemic change requires embedding community-driven structures into local governance.
2. Engage youth as change agents
Youth ambassadors played a pivotal role in scaling PROTECT’s impact, growing from 20 to 370 leaders. They led 968 events, advocated for anti-trafficking policies and secured municipal resources for prevention and survivor support. Some municipalities even provided free space for youth resource centers — cementing their leadership in local systems.
Takeaway: Engaging youth fosters community ownership and cultivates lifelong advocates for systemic change.
3. Foster cross-border collaboration
Collaboration between Nepalese and Indian law enforcement resulted in joint training sessions and rescue operations. These efforts rescued 41 women and dismantled trafficking networks — showcasing the power of regional partnerships.
Takeaway: Addressing cross-border challenges requires collaboration that transcends borders — literally and figuratively.
4. Harness social and behavioral change communication
PROTECT engaged 780 parents and caregivers — 90% of them women — through SBCC sessions, equipping them to lead anti-trafficking campaigns in their communities. Frequent behavioral change activities ensured that critical messages were reinforced for lasting impact.
Takeaway: Shifting perceptions and empowering communities drive sustainable prevention.
5. Support survivors with skills and opportunity
More than 50 survivors received skills training and funding to rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship. Survivors accessed seed funding from government schemes, while local governments committed to reintegration efforts.
Takeaway: Empowering survivors with tools for independence ensures meaningful reintegration.
6. Use data to drive strategy
Before PROTECT, many municipalities lacked systems to track trafficking cases. Now, data collection guides targeted interventions — such as in Gadi Municipality, where data identified high-risk wards and informed resource allocation.
Takeaway: Accurate, localized data ensures evidence-based strategies that maximize impact.
7. Strengthen police-community relationships
By building trust between communities and law enforcement, PROTECT established a referral system for reporting trafficking cases. Communities now work hand-in-hand with police to identify and respond to threats.
Takeaway: Building trust between communities and police enhances both prevention and response efforts.
8. Prioritize multi-sector engagement
NGOs, local governments and civil society groups collaborated through PROTECT forums to coordinate rescues and awareness campaigns. This approach led to the successful rescue and reunification of trafficked minors.
Takeaway: Multi-sector partnerships are critical for tackling complex social challenges like trafficking.
9. Plan for sustainability
Municipal governments began embedding anti-trafficking measures into their budgets and plans — including support for LCCHTs local coordination committees against human trafficking and youth-led initiatives. This shift ensures the campaign’s longevity beyond donor funding.
Takeaway: Transitioning ownership to local governments and communities secures their sustainability.
10. Invest in safe migration programs
At border points, information booths educated 13,200 individuals — including 2,300 children — about the risks of unsafe migration. These efforts rescued over 800 individuals and now continue under municipal management.
Takeaway: Preventing trafficking at its source requires robust migration education programs.
Conclusion: A call to action
The PROTECT project is a testament to the power of youth advocacy, community engagement and evidence-based programming. Its success illustrates Plan’s broader capability to design and implement systemic, sustainable solutions to complex social challenges.
As PROTECT transforms into a youth-led, community-driven campaign, its lessons remain relevant for tackling issues far beyond trafficking. For development and humanitarian professionals, this is a call to action: How can we strengthen local systems, empower young leaders and sustain impactful change?
The success of PROTECT in Nepal is part of Plan’s commitment to youth advocacy — as seen in similar initiatives like Champions of Change in El Salvador and youth-led programs in Senegal. Together, these efforts form a powerful blueprint for creating systemic, lasting change. Let’s build on this momentum and drive forward progress in our work.
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