WINDHOEK, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's government is busy finalizing the regulations for the Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Act no 1 of 2018 to become operational following its enactment, an official said Tuesday, on the commemoration of World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

The day was commemorated under the theme: 'Human Trafficking: Call your government to action' and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in a speech delivered on her behalf, said the theme is domesticated to fit Namibia's current situation.

"Although the combating of Trafficking in Persons Act still yet not in force, trafficking is criminalized under the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, Act 29 of 2004," she added.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia's Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) in collaboration with stakeholders has finalized the National Referral Mechanism and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

"The main purpose of the SOPs is for the identification, protection, and referral of victims of trafficking, at the appropriate time and manner," she added.

According to her, capacity building for key services providers on TIPs was conducted and to date, about 1,057 people were trained.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said in 2018 the government and stakeholders in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration reviewed existing TIP material and developed a media awareness campaign focusing on the youth.

The campaign was launched on March 29, 2019 and is ongoing and the MGECW is expected to review and develop the Gender-based Violence Plan of Action 2019-2023 which will have trafficking in person as one of the priorities, she added.

Going forward, she said Namibia remains committed to combating the crime and will continue building the capacity of key service providers and raise public awareness.