Mongolia: Ganbayasgakh Geleg Honored for Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons

Posted by Talley Sergent / June 11, 2010

Every year, the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons highlights the efforts of individuals from all over the world who work tirelessly to ensure that every person, no matter one's nation of origin or standing in society, is able to pursue a life of freedom. In the days leading up to the release of the annual Trafficking in Persons Report on June 14, 2010, DipNote will share their stories.

About of Author: Talley Sergent is a Public Affairs Officer in the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

After years of leading innovative efforts for victims of domestic violence and children, Ganbayasgakh Geleg founded the Gender Equality Center in 2002 to provide shelter, psychological and legal counseling, rehabilitation, and advocacy for victims of sex and labor trafficking. Under her leadership, the GEC has become a leader on human trafficking in Mongolia and a pioneer in urging the government to recognize and address the crime. The organization has assisted nearly 300 trafficking victims to date, and its hotline is the primary means for domestic and overseas victims to report their situations and seek counseling in Mongolian.

Ms. Ganbayasgakh has designed university curriculums, textbooks, and pamphlets on the nature of human trafficking. She has organized more than 400 trainings for government officials, police, border forces, social workers, doctors, teachers, and members of civil society. The trainings raised public awareness and focused on prevention, victim protection, and other means of combating human trafficking.

Ms. Ganbayasgakh's efforts extend beyond the borders of Mongolia. Recognizing the routes traffickers use, she successfully led an initiative to craft an agreement between the police departments of Zamiin-Uud and Erlian, China, to share information and cooperate in combating trafficking.

Stay up-to-date on the Department's anti-trafficking efforts; follow the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons on Facebook and Twitter.

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