Trafficking in women and children
The number of those migrating for work has boomed, with women constituting at least half those seeking to benefit from labour opportunities abroad. Yet migration carries risks. Most notably, those seeking work abroad may lack the information to make informed choices, and may be vulnerable to exploitation and deception. Migration under these conditions is commonly known as ‘trafficking'.
This dossier focuses on the implications of trafficking for women and girls. It provides information on forms of trafficking and national and international legislation as well as presenting examples of best practice in prevention. It also provides suggestions for further reading. It will be useful for those already familiar with the issue but want to learn more about a particular aspect; and for those with little knowledge of trafficking, who want to gain a broad overview.
Forms of trafficking
The forms that trafficking takes are dependent on a variety of factors, including country of origin, trafficking routes, final destination and the age and sex of the trafficked person. More...
Contributing factors
The main reason for wishing to migrate is the desire to pursue a better life and to earn foreign currency. Yet other factors lead to people's entry into an agreement with a trafficker. These factors are, in many cases, country-specific. More...
International trafficking legislation
International trafficking law is complex, contested and in flux. This section aims to clarify the issues and provide an up to date overview. More...
Practical responses
A significant number of resources are available, which outline aspects of best practice for different stakeholders in the areas of prevention, identification of the problem, prosecution of traffickers, and rehabilitation and support for victims. More...
Recommended background reading
