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IOM signed an agreement with the Colombian Ministry of Justice in order to provide technical assistance and support in the de-centralization of the national strategic plan. Hide

IOM Colombia also started the implementation of a project to prevent and address gender-based violence in IDPs at and across the Colombian borders with Panama, Venezuela and Ecuador. Hide

A regional programme supported by IOM is providing assistance for the return and reintegration of trafficked women and girls, mainly exploited as domestic workers, throughout the region. Medical assessments are carried out in the shelters with special attention to HIV cases. Reintegration activities involve school support or income generating activities. IOM signed an agreement with the Colombian Ministry of Justice in order to develop counter-trafficking activities in the areas of assistance to victims and prevention through a hot-line. Hide

In 2005, IOM’s Working Group on Gender Issues at Headquarters supported the production of a series of TV public service announcements for anglo-phone Caribbean countries on HIV/AIDS prevention and a documentary for Senegalese television on trafficking of children. Many of IOM’s counter-trafficking projects include information campaigns that aim to change behaviour related to discrimination and violence against women.In collaboration with UNFPA, IOM organized, in May 2006, an expert group meeting entitled "Female migrants: bridging the gaps throughout the life cycle", which brought together a wide range of stakeholders from countries of origin, transit and destination Protection of migrant women against violence was part of the agenda. Hide

IOM implements a cross border project at Beitbridge, Zimbabwe and a project for internally displaced persons in Colombia to assist returnees and facilitate their protection, particularly women, by building capacities of local entities and liaising with existing health facilities to ensure access to needed health services. Hide

IOM conducts and supports research designed to guide and inform migration policy and practice, with a special focus on violence against women, not only in counter-trafficking studies, but also in labour migration and in emergency and post-conflict research. Hide

In the area of counter-trafficking, IOM undertakes research and publishes the findings about the situation of trafficking in specific countries and/or regions. A recent publication gave an assessment of changing patterns and trends of trafficking in persons in the Balkan region. IOM also maintains one of the largest international trafficking database which contains health related information to facilitate planning and programmatic actions. Hide