Family and Child Welfare

Family and Child Welfare 3 (3+0)

Lesson 38 : Women Trafficking- Effects

International Efforts

The major international efforts to combat trafficking in women are as follows:

1. International Standards and Policy Statements:
   The abortion of slavery, whether in the form of classical slave trade or modern forms of slavery or slavery-like practices, is one of the long-standing objectives of UN.


2. The Convention for Suppression of Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of others (1949):
   This convention was first treaty dealing with trafficking in persons. It recommends punishment for procurement, enticement or leading away another person for prostitution, even with person's consent.


3. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against Women (1979):
   This convention reiterates that women have same rights as men and that states Parties shall take relevant measures to ensure equal rights for women and men. Article 6 contains a provision with respect to trafficking in women and prostitution, requiring States "to take appropriate measures to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women. The convention is ratified by over 160 Governments.


4. Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing (1995):
   More than 180 Governments signed the Beijing Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 under auspices of UNIFEM. In addition to trafficking for prostitution, the Beijing Platform for Action incorporates other forms of trafficking, such as trafficking for domestic labour. Governments of countries of origin, transit and destination as well as regional and international organizations are called upon to:
   Taking appropriate measures to address the root factors, including external factors, then encourage trafficking in women and girls for prostitution and other forms of commercialized sex, forced marriages and forced labour in order to eliminate trafficking in women including strengthening the existing legislations with a view to providing better protection of rights of women and girls and to punish the perpetrators, through both criminal and civil measures.


5. United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM):
   UNIFEM promotes women's empowerment and gender equality. UNIFEM has contributed data and information relating to trafficking in women and thereby Strengthened national and regional coalitions and networks, A South Asian Anti-trafficking information centre will be established to facilitate collection and discrimination of relevant information.


6. Other Intergovernmental (IGO) and International Non-governmental Organizations (INGO’s):
   The Coalition against Trafficking in Women (CATW):
   The CATW is a feminist human rights non-governmental organization that works to oppose all forms of sexual exploitation. The organization endeavors to bring international attention to sexual exploitation, including prostitution, pornography, sex tourism and bride trafficking.

The Global Alliance against Trafficking in Women (GAATW):
The GAATW was formed at an international workshop on migration and trafficking in women in Chiang Mai, Thailand in October, 1994. One objective of GAATW is to ensure that the human rights of migrants and victims of trafficking are respected and protected.