Egypt Opens Its First Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking

Approximately 111,000 young girls, aged anywhere between 13 to 17 years old, are shipped around to enter forced marriages. This is but a snapshot that the National Council for Women offers us to show the extent of the human trafficking crisis that often slips through the cracks in Egypt, whether these forced marriages happen in the country or abroad, whether the victims come from here or are merely in transit after a violent kidnapping. So for those who are aware of the full scope of these crimes, the opening of the country's first shelter for victims of human trafficking at the Al Qalyubia governorate is long overdue.

The National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons was involved in the opening of this shelter, along with the National Council for Women. Through their cooperation, the shelter is hoped to provide a means of rehabilitation for the victims, who are otherwise disenfranchised after surviving through these crimes.

The National Council for Women has a hotline for people to report any instances of human trafficking or forced marriages they may find, and are ready to provide legal and psychological support for these cases. If you have anything to report, you can call them at 15115.