The SAARC(SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION) Regional Task Force has been formed in all the Member States to monitor and assess the implementation of various provisions of the Convention on Combating the Crime of Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution
The Regional Task Force has met in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
During the First Meeting of the Regional Task Force in New Delhi on 26 July 2007, the participants agreed to exchange information on best practices by the respective governments, non-governmental organizations and members of the civil society to combat trafficking in women and children. It was decided that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to implement various provisions of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution (2002), including reporting under Article VIII (5) and repatriation of victims of trafficking and related matters as defined in the Convention, would be developed.
Furthermore, the Special Session of the Regional Task Force held at the SAARC Secretariat in April 2010 prepared the draft outline for the establishment of two regional toll-free helplines dedicated for women and children respectively. Women and children survivors or victims of violence or discrimination can then dial up these numbers to seek help and support irrespective of the country they are in South Asia.