Drawing on the official UN the theme for International Women’s Day 2013, ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women,’ AGI is taking a look at some of the biggest issues affecting women in Asia today. Here, Olivia Whitworth reports on the growing spectre of human trafficking in the region.
One of the widest scale forms of violence against women is human trafficking. It crosses borders and regions and affects women in South East Asia more than anywhere else in the world.
According to the ILO East Asia is the biggest source of trafficking both internally and long distance trans-regionally. In total 56% of trafficking in people occurs within and from East Asia. An estimated 1.4 million people remain victimised by trafficking originating in the region, according to the UN Global report. Of these, it is estimated that 80% are female, the majority of whom are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Around 95% of these women will experience physical or sexual violence and intimidation at the hands of their traffickers.
in 2006, there were only 3160 convictions for trafficking worldwide – less than one per 800 women
Despite the vast nature of the problem, and the horrific conditions and experiences faced by trafficked women and children in 2006, there were only 3160 convictions for trafficking worldwide – less than one per 800 women. And the problem is set to worsen, particularly in Asia. Despite campaigns against sex tourism and increasing clampdowns on ‘entertainment’ visas, the purposes and end destinations for victims of trafficking continue to grow.
The increasing gender gap in countries like China is leading to an increase in the trafficking of women for marriage, particularly in rural areas. This results in the trafficking across borders to China and areas of Thailand in particular from countries like Burma, where despite a five year plan, the infrastructure doesn’t exist to decisively address the problem.
Significantly, a number of these women also agree to be smuggled voluntarily, being sold a dream of a life working in entertainment or as waitresses, not understanding that what awaits them is sexual slavery and a continued threat of violence. This makes it harder still to prevent as they will actively attempt to avoid detection, unaware of the danger they are putting themselves in. It also makes one of the most important tools for prevention education.
There are efforts underway to combat trafficking – the Australian government recently pledged $50 million Australian dollars for a combined Australia-Asia programme, and the UN has initiated a number of programmes and established a series of protocols to attempt to curb the problem. Campaigns like UNITE campaign and STOP seek to raise awareness, educate potential victims and pressure governments to tighten and enforce or create legislation on trafficking.
The lack of a truly combined front and established system in East Asia makes dealing with a cross border issue a difficult challenge to confront
However, the sex industry continues to boom in countries like Thailand and Malaysia – and much of this is on the back of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The lack of a truly combined front and established system in South East Asia makes dealing with a cross border issue a difficult challenge to confront, added to the fact that many women have either no way of accessing the authorities in the countries they are trafficked too or they are afraid to. Fear of repercussions, either from their traffickers or from the government of their destination country, means that despite the increasing international awareness of the problem this is not yet enough.
The focus on education for those likely to fall victim to trafficking is essential – but not always possible. Those most at risk are identified as those being destitute and displaced, making them it harder to make contact with them. Tightening visa controls and requiring exit interviews has shown some improvement in the Philippines, but as long as women believe they are going to a better life this is still not enough. To really put an end to this continuing gender-based violence will take a united and continuing effort on the part of all the countries involved, with a crack down on the perpetrators, and more support for the victims.
