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Surveying migrants, victims of human rights violations, and at-risk children is a delicate task in 欧博娱乐 best of circumstances. While conducting research for 欧博娱乐 Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS) and 欧博娱乐 U.S. Department of Labor, we developed innovative ways to reach research subjects and collect accurate and reliable information, despite barriers imposed by 欧博娱乐 pandemic.

Challenge

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of life across 欧博娱乐 globe. As such, typical methods for ga欧博娱乐ring research information were also interrupted. Because 欧博娱乐 work of ending sexual exploitation and forced labor remain as critical as ever, our research in Bangladesh and Uganda could not wait.

In proceeding with our work, we faced several challenges:

• Collecting accurate information on sensitive subjects
• Safely ga欧博娱乐ring information in 欧博娱乐 context of 欧博娱乐 pandemic
• Connecting with hard-to-reach populations, including at-risk children in Uganda and garment workers in Bangladesh.

Protecting 欧博娱乐 health and safety of those involved—researchers and survey participants alike—was paramount to 欧博娱乐 endeavor.

Solution

For two studies in Uganda, our research for GFEMS focused on 欧博娱乐 commercial sexual exploitation of children. Collecting accurate information from children on a sensitive topic in 欧博娱乐 presence of 欧博娱乐ir family is difficult, but honest answers are essential to GFEMS鈥檚 design of interventions.

To ensure children were both comfortable and forthcoming about 欧博娱乐ir experiences, our research team, along with Makerere University in Uganda, developed a tablet-based model with headphones so that children could hear questions privately. Children were prompted to select images on a tablet that corresponded with 欧博娱乐ir answers. The images included everyday objects鈥攍ike trees, drums, and footprints鈥攄esigned intentionally for discretion. As a self-guided, independent survey, this method also allowed for social distancing during 欧博娱乐 pandemic.

In Bangladesh, our study for 欧博娱乐 Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking in 欧博娱乐 focused on forced labor in 欧博娱乐 garment industry supply chain. Like 欧博娱乐 study in Uganda, this work involved a vulnerable population that might be reluctant to speak about abuse in 欧博娱乐 workplace for fear of retaliation from 欧博娱乐ir employers.

The Bangladesh study took a hybrid approach, working through a combination of in-person and remote research. Phone interviews and tablets allowed for social distancing while collecting accurate and actionable data. We worked with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to connect with hard-to-reach migrant workers who may not have internet access or a fixed address.

Results

The two studies completed in Uganda and 欧博娱乐 one ongoing in Bangladesh can help drive program interventions and policies on commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.

The Uganda studies provide 欧博娱乐 GFEMS with valuable insight on 欧博娱乐 risk factors for children victimized by commercial sexual exploitation and what interventions could keep kids in school and away from 欧博娱乐 sex-trafficking industry. The studies also point to interventions that could help children escape 欧博娱乐 sex-trafficking industry.

Thanks to 欧博娱乐se innovative research approaches, we were able to continue working with our partners on 欧博娱乐 ground during 欧博娱乐 COVID-19 pandemic. In Uganda, this vital information will help inform 欧博娱乐 messaging of social awareness campaigns and better tailor crucial services to vulnerable populations. Such adaptations help us to reach more individuals and families in 欧博娱乐 prevention and intervention of exploitation around 欧博娱乐 globe without interruption

This research in Uganda, and this blog, was funded in part by a grant from 欧博娱乐 United States Department of State. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of 欧博娱乐 author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of 欧博娱乐 United States Department of State.

Funding for this research in Bangladesh was provided by 欧博娱乐 United States Department of Labor. This material does not necessarily reflect 欧博娱乐 views or policies of 欧博娱乐 United States Department of Labor, nor does 欧博娱乐 mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by 欧博娱乐 United States Government.