Gender Alternatives Foundation receives international award for their work against sexual exploitation

On 18 October, the EU Anti-Trafficking Day, ten European civil society organizations received the Child10 Award at the Royal Castle in Stockholm, Sweden. GAF is among the awarded organizations selected from over 130 nominations across Europe. The Award acknowledges GAF impactful work against human trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children and was presented by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden.

According to the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking, one in three victims of trafficking is a child. Human trafficking is now ranked as the world's third most profitable crime category after drugs and weapons. The organisations recognised and receiving the Award today all work in extremely challenging environments in a field that is under-resourced and often hidden due to the nature of the crime.

– In the wake of the pandemic and with the climate crisis, wars and ongoing conflicts, children today are more vulnerable than ever. Collaboration and impactful solutions are, therefore, of the utmost importance to protect children and secure their rights. The organizations honored today demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a world where no child is a victim of trafficking and exploitation and in doing so, underline the crucial role of civil society to protect vulnerable children, both in Sweden and in Europe, says Jacob Flärdh, Secretary General of Child10.

The Child10 Awarded Members have been working together throughout 2022 to identify best practices, develop effective and durable solutions to joint challenges and find a collective voice to do stronger advocacy together.

– This year's winners are all dedicated experts in the fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Europe.

Child10 Awarded Members 2022:

ACPE, France

ATINA, Serbia

APRAMP, Spain

Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Croatia

Child Focus, Belgium

Gender Alternatives Foundation, Bulgaria

Network Against Human Trafficking, Germany

Protect Children, Finland

Society Ključ, Slovenia

Storasyster, Sweden