"Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Convention on preventing and combating trafficking in women and children 2002 is limited only to the issue of prostitution," she said.

Geeteara was speaking as special guest at the launching ceremony of a project titled 'Prevention and protection of victims of human trafficking in Bangladesh' in the city.

It was launched jointly by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.

The Royal Embassies of Denmark and Norway are funding the three-million dollar three-year project to be implemented by the government and NGOs in 22 districts.

The project is aimed at preventing trafficking, protecting victims and potential victims, prosecuting traffickers and assisting the victims with livelihood options.

Calling upon the government and non-government agencies concerned to identify the causes behind trafficking, the adviser said mass awareness on consequences of trafficking, economic development and prosecuting the traffickers would contribute to combat trafficking.

Allured by the traffickers, the women and children mainly become the victims of this cross-border menace, she said, adding that employment opportunities for the potential victims could reduce such exploitation.

IOM Business Advisory Board Member Ikram Sehgal of Pakistan said, "It is a heinous crime and we should combat it together by eradicating poverty and educating people."

He said a large number of the trafficked victims are vulnerable to HIV.

According to IOM, women and girls are trafficked for hard labour, sex trade and domestic work, while the boys are recruited to act as beggars in India, Pakistan and the Middle East in particular.

IOM South Asian Regional Representative Shaidul Haque said lack of safe migration mechanism often prompts people to take up exploitative ways of migrating.

Norwegian Ambassador Ingebijorg Stofring and IOM National Programme Officer Zakia K Hassan also spoke at the ceremony chaired by Secretary to Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Rokeya Sultana.