United Nations Radio

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Afghanistan's Ministry of Hajj and Endowment on Tuesday held a first-ever roundtable with religious leaders to discuss human trafficking in Afghanistan in the context of Islam.

A total of 40 clerics from Kabul and 20 other provinces took part in the event.

Roundtable participants were encouraged to raise awareness of human trafficking issues among vulnerable groups in their respective communities through discussion and prayer.

The head of the IOM in Afghanistan Robbie Thomson says "given the significant role that religious leaders play in communities and the country as a whole, an effective counter trafficking programme requires their cooperation, particularly in rural areas."

IOM is currently also implementing a nationwide counter trafficking information campaign targeting schoolchildren through to teacher training.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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