No fewer than 50 million people are living in situations of forced labour, trafficking, or forced marriage, a statement by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM). revealed.

IOM recently launched Anyone a Victim, a global campaign that calls for stronger action to prevent human trafficking and expand support for survivors. The initiative seeks to mobilize public engagement, raise critical funds for protection programmes, and highlight that trafficking remains a widespread human rights violation worldwide. 

“Human trafficking strips people of their rights, choices, and futures,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. “Its impact does not end when the exploitation stops. It can shape someone’s life for years. Every survivor should have access to safety, justice, and long-term support, and communities need the tools to prevent exploitation before it occurs. This campaign is a reminder that protecting people is not optional. It is a shared responsibility and a reflection of the societies we want to build.” 

An estimated 50 million people are living in situations of forced labour, trafficking, or forced marriage, and many are pushed into danger by conflict, disasters, and economic instability. These pressures limit safe options for movement, increase people’s reliance on unsafe pathways, and expose those already facing inequality to even greater risks. Trafficking thrives where protection systems are weak and where people lack the means to secure safety, dignity, and stable livelihoods. 

The global campaign Anyone a Victim brings survivor experiences to the forefront and challenges misconceptions about who is at risk. It highlights often overlooked stories and shows that trafficking affects people of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging public support for programmes that offer safety, assistance, and recovery. 

Through this effort, IOM aims to build a broader movement that strengthens prevention and ensures that survivors are heard and supported. The campaign reflects the growing need for rights-based and community-centred approaches across countries of origin, transit, and destination. 

At the same time, many survivors face stigma or fear reporting their experiences, while others struggle to access the services that can help them recover and regain control of their lives. By sharing lived experiences publicly, the campaign seeks to build understanding, counter harmful assumptions, and encourage collective action against exploitation. 

The campaign features the voices of several IOM Goodwill Ambassadors, including Sir Mo Farah, a survivor of human trafficking and IOM Global Goodwill Ambassador, who joins fellow Global Goodwill Ambassador America Ferrera and IOM National Goodwill Ambassador Kofi Kinaata in raising awareness. This year, IOM also welcomes Pritika Swarup as a Global Advocate, drawing on her public outreach experience to work alongside IOM’s advocates in engaging audiences and driving action. 

“I survived trafficking because someone eventually saw me, believed me, and helped me find safety,” Sir Mo Farah said. “No child or adult should feel invisible or unprotected. Trafficking is not about a single moment. It leaves lasting marks on people’s lives, but those marks do not need to define them. When communities listen to survivors and invest in their recovery, healing becomes possible. My hope is that this campaign inspires people everywhere to stand with those who have been silenced for too long.” 

Through the campaign, IOM reaffirms its commitment to supporting survivors, strengthening community protection, and promoting safe pathways that reduce the risks of exploitation in all its forms. The Organization works with governments, civil society partners, and affected communities to develop solutions that uphold rights, expand access to essential services, and help people rebuild with dignity and stability. 

That resistance is something head coach Maténin Camara knows well. Once a player herself – and former captain of the national team – she faced opposition from the very beginning.

“My father once told me it was a shame for him that I played football,” she says. “Not a concern or worry for my safety – a shame. People kept saying it was a man’s sport. My mother worried what others would think. My relatives questioned my parents’ authority.”

She pauses, watching her players move through drills with quiet precision. “My twin sister and I held firm. But not everyone does. Some girls stop playing because the weight of other people’s judgment becomes too much. That’s a loss nobody talks about.”

On the pitch, she commands the training with calm authority. Her journey traces the slow, hard-won conquest of space for women in an environment never built for them. Every goal her players score is, in its own way, an act of defiance.