The National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP), with technical and financial support from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), has commenced a three-day national consultation on the adoption of the ECOWAS TIP+ Strategy. The initiative is part of the NAATIP Demand-Driven Facility (DDF) Project under the European Union-funded Free Movement and Migration of Persons (FMM) West Africa Project II, aimed at strengthening prevention and response mechanisms to trafficking in persons in The Gambia.
The consultation seeks to align The Gambia’s national efforts with the ECOWAS TIP+ Strategy, which expands the fight against trafficking in persons to include related crimes under the “plus” approach.
Delivering opening remarks, Mr. Osundu of ICMPD conveyed greetings from the ECOWAS Commission Mission in Nigeria and praised The Gambia for its proactive stance on human rights and social protection. He noted that the country continues to set an example in the region through progressive initiatives.
Dr. Ruben Lewis, Programme Specialist at ICMPD, emphasized the importance of the consultation in shaping a robust and nationally responsive TIP+ Strategy. He urged participants to ensure the final document reflects the realities of trafficking in persons within The Gambia.
In her keynote address, NAATIP Executive Director Ms. Isatou Dabo thanked participants for their commitment and underscored the need for active engagement. She highlighted priorities such as strengthening victim protection, enhancing public awareness, and reinforcing national response mechanisms. Ms. Dabo stressed that combating trafficking requires a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach, expressing optimism that the collaborative sessions would yield a strong national strategy.
Technical presentations were delivered by Ms. Ifeoluwa, Junior Project Officer at ICMPD; Mr. Momodou Drammeh, Programme Officer at NAATIP; and Dr. Reuben Lawis, Programme Specialist at ICMPD. Topics included the FMM II Project, vulnerabilities linked to trafficking and related crimes, and institutional capacities to implement the ECOWAS TIP+ Strategy.
Participants engaged in lively discussions, raising questions and seeking clarifications before breaking into working groups to begin assignments for the three-day exercise. Day One concluded successfully, setting the stage for continued deliberations and collaboration toward a comprehensive national TIP+ Strategy.
