Lithuania is a source, transit, and destination country for women and girls subjected to sex trafficking, as well as a source and destination country for men subjected to labour trafficking.Lithuanian children and adults are increasingly forced to engage in criminal activities, primarily shoplifting, in Nordic countries, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK). Observers estimate that 40% of identified Lithuanian trafficking victims are women and girls subjected to sex trafficking internally. Lithuanian women are also trafficking victims in France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. Lithuanian women and girls from orphanages and state-run foster homes, as well as women with mental or psychological disabilities, are especially vulnerable to being trafficked. A small number of women from Russia and Belarus are transported through Lithuania en route to Western Europe, where they are forced into prostitution. Some Lithuanian men are subjected to forced labour in the Netherlands, the UK, and the United States, including in agriculture. Men from Bulgaria may be subjected to labour trafficking in Lithuania.
Lithuania is rated as a Tier 2 Country by the US Department of State’s 2014 Trafficking Persons Report indicating that the Government of Lithuania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so.
SAVE THE CHILDREN LITHUANIA
Save the Children Lithuania is a non-governmental, non-religious and non-political organisation whose primary function is to advocate for children's rights and promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (an international document setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children).
'Our vision is a world in which ever child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.'
Save the Children Lithuania is working in 5 programmatic areas:
I. Reduction of Violence against Children and of Children Exploitation
II. Reduction of Children Social Exclusion and Institualization
III. Child’s Rights Governance
IV. International Programs
V. Strengthening of organization’s capacity and financial stability
More information www.gelbekitvaikus.lt
KEY CAMPAIGN ACHIEVEMENTS:
- The Lithuanian TLG campaign was launched at the British Embassy in January 2013 with representatives from the government, aid agencies and NGOs in attendance. The launch received extensive media coverage with 13 websites running features on the campaign.
- More than 1,000 young people have participated in Save the Chidren Lithuania's TLG events across the country.
- Over 200 Lithuanian teachers have been trained to use the TLG film in their work.
- Workshops are being run in children’s homes across Lithuania, targeting some of the most vulnerable children to trafficking.
- The TLG film and an explanation of the campaign have been sent to 80 child care institutions and 126 Children’s Groups Against Violence. Save the Children Lithuania estimate that more than 4000 vulnerable children will see the TLG film as a result.
- Through the training of 140 social workers, social pedagogues, psychologists, child’s rights protection specialists and workers from child care institutions, Save the Children Lithuania estimate that over 27,000 children will see the TLG film across Lithuania.
- During December 2012 Two Little Girls was broadcast regularly on 5 regional TV stations in Lithuania with an accumulated viewing audience of approximately 730,000 people.
- On December 13th TLG was screened during the morning programme ‘A New Day’ on the most popular TV station in Lithuania – TV3. The film was screened and the General Manager of Save the Children Lithuania, Rasa Dicpetriene, was interviewed on the problem of human trafficking in Lithuania and the TLG campaign. It is estimated that ‘A New Day’ is watched by 16.2% of the Lithuanian population, approximately 583,200 people.
- On 18th December 2012 the problem of human trafficking and the TLG campaign was presented by the General Manager of Save the Children Lithuania Rasa Dicpetriene, on the programme ‘Let’s Communicate’, aired on the radio station ‘Free Wave’. The programme lasted 45 minutes. Free Wave has approximately 100,000 listeners per week and is listened to mostly by people aged 21-49 years old.
- Phase 2 of the Lithuanian campaign funded work with 4 Children Groups against Violence to raise awareness of human trafficking between June and August 2013. More than 680 young people and 55 teachers participated in events organised by the Children Groups against Violence. The events received local media coverage.
- In August 2013 TLG lead partner Save the Children Lithuania were informed that their bid for funding to extend their anti-trafficking programme was successful. The programme will run over two years in 10 municipalities of Lithuania, and will use the TLG film and accompanying campaign materials throughout campaign activities.
- The TLG film was shown to 50 police officers through 2 workshops in the summer of 2013 to sensitize them to the issue of human trafficking.