Abstract
Bangladesh continues to face the challenge of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and its related population effects. These problems are exacerbated by the large role that remittance plays in the Bangladesh economy and high numbers of migrant workers who may be placed at risk from trafficking. Bangladesh is primarily a source and transit country in regards to TIP with most victims trafficked abroad for commercial sexual exploitation, involuntary domestic servitude, and other forms of forced labor, though internal trafficking is also present. With a view to the aforementioned, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Bangladesh is funding a six-year (2008-2014) initiative entitled ü\Actions for Combating Trafficking in Persons (ACT).. The specific program objectives are organized around the three central pillars of anti-trafficking programs: prevention, prosecution, and protection initiatives and are as follows: (1) to reduce the rate of Trafficking in Persons and unsafe labor migration within and from Bangladesh; (2) to enhance and standardize the protection and care of victims of trafficking and labor migration abuses; and (3) to strengthen the Government of Bangladeshüfs capacity to prosecute traffickers and trafficking-related crimes while improving overall rule of law and human security. The objective of this performance evaluation is to assess the impact and lessons learned to date from ACT for consideration in the remaining year of the program as well as in the design of any follow-on program that might occur. (Excerpt, modified)