The European Day Against Trafficking in Human Beings is observed annually on 18 October to raise public awareness of this crime and strengthen cooperation in combating it.

Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights and one of the most widespread forms of transnational organized crime worldwide.

Georgia attaches great importance to combating human trafficking, focusing on crime prevention, proactive identification of trafficking cases, victim protection and assistance, and enhanced cooperation. The Interagency Council for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, led by the Ministry of Justice, coordinates the country’s anti-trafficking policy. Combating human trafficking is also an important part of Georgia’s international commitments, including its EU integration process.

For the eleventh consecutive year, Georgia has maintained a leading position worldwide in combating human trafficking. According to the US Department of State’s latest report, published in 2026, Georgia is the only country in the region and among EU candidate countries to have received the highest possible rating.

Nearly 60 female inmates at Penitentiary Institution No. 5 will take part in training courses designed to help them learn English at a basic level and develop their digital skills.

The project is being implemented at the initiative of the Ministry of Justice’s LEPL Center for Vocational Training and Retraining of Convicts, with the support of the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs’ LEPL State Employment Support Agency. College Modus is also involved in delivering the training.

The event was attended by Lana Morgoshia, Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamta Demurishvili, Director of the Center for Vocational Training and Retraining of Convicts, and other invited guests.

The training courses were designed based on career counselling sessions conducted in cooperation with the State Employment Support Agency. Interviews with the inmates identified two key areas for development: English language proficiency and computer skills. Improving these skills will help participants broaden their employment opportunities and become more competitive in the labour market.

Following the meeting, the guests toured the kitchen facilities at Penitentiary Institution No. 5, where plans are underway to provide female inmates with vocational training in culinary arts.