World Day against Trafficking in Persons: Gender Dimension of Human Trafficking

03-08-2023

Roza Cseby

Women’s Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

30 July is the World Day against Trafficking in Persons proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution to raise awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims and to advocate for the promotion and protection of their rights. Since 2014, the UN invites all Member States, relevant agencies of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, to observe the World Day (UNGA, 2014). 

The slogan of this year's World Day is “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind” in light of the global crises, conflicts and climate emergency which are escalating trafficking risks (United Nations, 2023). According to the latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, national responses, particularly in developing States, appear to be deteriorating globally. Moreover, detection rates fell by 11% in 2020 and convictions dropped by 27%, highlighting a worldwide slowdown in the criminal justice response to trafficking. In addition, the increased impunity and the fact that most of the victims are self-rescued also have a negative impact on the rate of trafficking in persons, despite the numerous international instruments fighting against it (UNODC, 2022). 

International Instruments Concerning Trafficking in Persons

Firstly, the Palermo Protocol, a supplement to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000), is one of the most important international instruments to combat trafficking. Under Article 5 of the Protocol, States are mandated to criminalize trafficking, attempted trafficking, and any intentional involvement or organization in trafficking schemes. Secondly, the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (1949) specifically requires States to punish any person who exploits the prostitution of another. Thirdly, under Article 8, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibits a number of practices directly related to trafficking, including slavery, the slave trade, servitude and forced labour (OHCHR, 2014). Similarly, under Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, State Parties are bound to penalise and prosecute effectively any act related to trafficking, forced labour and slavery (European Court of Human Rights, 2022). 

Lastly, under Article 6 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), States are obliged to take all appropriate measures to suppress all forms of trafficking in women and exploitation of their prostitution. Women’s high vulnerability to trafficking is further recognised in the General Recommendation No. 19  of the CEDAW in which trafficking is identified as a form of violence against women because it puts them at special risk of violence, abuse and sexual exploitation (OHCHR, 2014).  

Gender Dimension of Human Trafficking

Between 2003 and 2020, trafficking for sexual exploitation became more common than trafficking for forced labour. This explains why women are at greater risk of trafficking and why states need to take gender-sensitive responses to combat this crime. According to the data of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), women and girls account for 71% of all trafficked victims detected globally and 54% of all detected trafficking cases accounts for sexual exploitation which stands as the predominant form of global trafficking. Additionally, traffickers who exploit women for other purposes, including forced labour, begging, and domestic servitude, frequently employ sexual violence as a means of coercion and control over their victims (ICAT, 2017). 

The root causes of the disproportionate impact of human trafficking on women and girls are plentiful. For example, gender inequality in educational and employment opportunities or limited control over financial resources can exacerbate the vulnerability of women and girls to trafficking. Furthermore, gender-based violence and cultural norms that normalise such violence are also contributing factors. The presence of discriminatory labor or migration laws can restrict women's mobility and their capacity to change jobs, pushing them towards seeking employment in unregulated and informal sectors. As a result, women become more susceptible to the risks of trafficking and exploitation. Finally, conflict, post-conflict settings and humanitarian crises are risk multipliers for women and girls as they are more exposed to exploitation in the absence of the rule of law and more frequently targeted by armed groups for sexual slavery, domestic servitude and forced and child marriages (ICAT, 2017).

World Day against Trafficking in Persons reminds every country in the world to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, end impunity  and not overlook the gender dimension of trafficking, especially in this era of multiple crises. The latest report of the Secretary-General on trafficking in women and girls highlights the most important recommendations to combat trafficking in crisis contexts. For instance, governments should shift emphasis from solely prosecuting and criminalizing traffickers to adopting a comprehensive approach that includes survivor protection and prevention, addressing underlying gender inequalities. Additionally, trafficking is often linked to other forms of violence against women, such as intimate partner violence and sexual violence, necessitating systemic integration of responses. Recognizing trafficking as a form of gender-based violence allows for a more holistic approach to addressing its root causes. Lastly, for effective crisis prevention and response, women's full and equal participation in decision-making and leadership is essential. Thus, supporting women's organizations with expertise in gender-based violence and trafficking is crucial for informed crisis response (UNGA, 2022).

Sources and further readings:

United Nations (2023). 2023 Theme: Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-human-trafficking-day?gclid=CjwKCAjw_aemBhBLEiwAT98FMou2smfFs2K9hl8cMcwIUjd2fvL7JW1hjlcuYFvUZXFnm7l05f2UwBoCVb4QAvD_BwE 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC (2022). Global Report on Tracking in Persons 2022. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/glotip/2022/GLOTiP_2022_web.pdf 

Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons, ITAC (2017). The Gender Dimensions of Human Trafficking. Issue Brief  04. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://icat.un.org/sites/g/files/tmzbdl461/files/publications/icat-ib-04-v.1.pdf 

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons (14 February 2014). UN Doc. A/RES/68/192. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N13/450/97/PDF/N1345097.pdf?OpenElement 

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Trafficking in women and girls: crises as a risk multiplier. Report of the Secretary-General (15 August 2022). UN Doc. A/77/292. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/462/45/PDF/N2246245.pdf?OpenElement 

United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, OHCHR (2014). International Instruments Concerning Trafficking in Persons. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Women/WRGS/OnePagers/IntInstrumentsconcerningTraffickingpersons_Aug2014.pdf 

European Court of Human Rights (2022). Guide on Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights - Prohibition of slavery and forced labour. Council of Europe/European Court of Human Rights. Retrieved on August 3rd, 2023 from https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/guide_art_4_eng