Omosah advocates for disability inclusion in Global Anti-Trafficking efforts at UNODC Dialogue

Vienna, Austria – In a compelling address at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Constructive Dialogue on Trafficking in Persons, Melody Omosah, Executive Director of the Network for the Advancement of People with Visible Disabilities (NAPVID), has called for urgent inclusion of persons with disabilities in global anti-trafficking strategies.

Speaking virtually recently from Nigeria, during the hybrid event held at the Vienna International Centre, Omosah highlighted the heightened vulnerabilities faced by disabled individuals in an evolving landscape of exploitation, urging policymakers to act decisively.

The dialogue, which followed the 15th meeting of the UNTOC Working Group on Trafficking in Persons, brought together representatives from governments, NGOs, academia, and the private sector to address evidential challenges in trafficking cases, including online scams and forced labor.

Co-chaired by Ms. Isma Aissiou of Algeria and Mr. Vikram Jeet Duggal of India, the event emphasized victim-centered approaches, focusing on testimonial evidence, psychosocial support, and international cooperation under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

Omosah, president of NAPVID brought a lived perspective to the global stage.

“Human trafficking continues to evolve in alarming ways—from forced labor to online scam operations—and it is vital that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the global response,” he declared during his intervention.

His advocacy was rooted in NAPVID’s impactful work, including Project HELP in Edo State, which supports PWDs with health, education, and livelihood opportunities.

Outlining a transformative framework, Omosah proposed four key pillars:

- Explicit Recognition: Designating persons with disabilities as a distinct vulnerable group in anti-trafficking policies to address barriers like inaccessible information and heightened exploitation risks.

- Accessible Support Services: Ensuring victim assistance—such as shelters and legal aid—is fully accessible, with provisions like braille materials, sign language interpreters, and trauma-informed care tailored to disabilities.

– Disability-Disaggregated Data: Mandating the collection of data segmented by disability status to reveal patterns, guide resource allocation, and monitor progress.

– Full Participation of DPOs: Amplifying the role of Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) like NAPVID in policy design, ensuring solutions are co-created by those most affected.

Omosah framed inclusion as “a shared responsibility,” emphasizing NAPVID’s mantra: “Every effort to end trafficking must reflect the realities of all people, including those with disabilities. When inclusion becomes intentional, protection becomes stronger and justice becomes possible for everyone.”

His call resonated with the dialogue’s focus on overcoming evidential hurdles, such as trauma-induced memory gaps in victim testimonies, which disproportionately affect disabled survivors.

The event, aligned with UNODC’s mandate under the Palermo Protocols to combat trafficking, migrant smuggling, and organized crime, underscored the need for expert witnesses and enhanced protection measures.

Back in Nigeria, Omosah’s advocacy builds on NAPVID’s grassroots legacy. From protesting violence against disabled children to partnering with state governments on skill-building programs, the organization has empowered thousands, shifting narratives from dependency to contribution.

His UNODC intervention positions NAPVID as a vital bridge between local realities and global agendas.

With an estimated 25 million trafficking victims worldwide annually—many from vulnerable groups—experts suggest that integrating a disability lens could boost conviction rates and survivor recovery, transforming anti-trafficking policies from reactive to resilient.