British Ambassador supports launch of anti-trafficking film for children
The British Ambassador to Albania, Fiona McIlwham, gave a speech today at a launch event for the short animated film "Dy Vajza"

This film raises awareness amongst children about the risks of becoming victims of trafficking.  It has been produced with the support of a British organisation, Womankind, and the film is based on the real life experiences of Albanian women living at a shelter for trafficked women in London.

The Ambassador said: “Human trafficking is a horrific crime. It is the abuse of individual rights and the exploitation of the vulnerable – including children”
She added: “This project is a great example of how civil society can engage and help change things”

The Ambassador stressed that the UK is committed to working with the Albanian authorities to tackle all forms of organised crime.

Research shows that at least 60% of Albanians trafficked for prostitution are children.  More than half of these are tricked into prostitution, and more than a third are abducted.  There are believed to be about 30,000 Albanian prostitutes in other countries.  Up to 90% of girls over the age of 14 no longer attend school in some rural areas, and a significant underlying cause of this is fear of being trafficked.  The aim of the “Dy Vajza” film is to reach younger children, who still attend primary school.  It delivers serious messages in a cartoon format which is accessible and attractive to children.

Today’s launch event took place at the Marubi Film Academy, as part of Tirana Human Rights Film Festival programme.  The event was organised by Womankind, UNICEF and the Albanian Centre for Population and Development.

For more information about “Dy Vajza” please contact Anila Miria [amiria@unicef.org] or Elona Gjebrea [egjebrea@acpd-al.org]

Back to newsroom

Back to top