Human Trafficking in Conflict Zones: The Extreme Severity of the Problem
Every year millions of women, men, and children fall victim to human trafficking around the world. As the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime explains, ‘Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit’. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the problem and forced into sexual exploitation, but men can be coerced into working at construction sites or carrying out illegal activities for the trafficker. As the perpetrators normally take away the victims’ passports and threaten them and their families, escaping is practically impossible. While there are several reasons why human trafficking occurs, war is a prevailing cause.
Why human trafficking occurs in conflict zones on such a big scale
In conflict zones, there is no functioning government and there is a lack of any legal enforcement mechanisms. Many people have to flee regions where militant groups exercise control, or areas that are at risk of bombings. That makes the population extremely vulnerable. Those who have to move to settlements for Internally Displaced People are not only easy targets for kidnappers, but are also more susceptible to being deceived.
The way human trafficking is often done is by promising people a new life somewhere else. Traffickers give them false promises of security and jobs that wait for them abroad and some believe them. When victims realise that they have been manipulated it is usually too late. Even if they manage to escape they are left with no documents, no source of income, and no protection, which puts them at risk of poverty and homelessness.
Why women and girls are the most affected
According to the 2020 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 65% of those who are affected by the problem of human trafficking are women and girls, and 50% of cases are done for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Moreover, globally, out of all the victims trafficked for prostitution, 92% are female.
The main reason for that is the fact that societies in states where human trafficking is prevalent do not treat men and women equally. Women in patriarchal societies have limited professional opportunities, hence they are easily tempted by assurances that jobs await them abroad. Moreover, women in these societies are often victims of domestic violence and abuse, therefore if a trafficker promises them help and safety they incautiously agree.
How to put an end to human trafficking
The need for more effective anti-trafficking strategies is clear as since 2008 the number of victims of human trafficking worldwide has tripled. The issue is complex and responses to it differ greatly depending on the country. Each state should have a designated anti-trafficking agency that would focus specifically on fighting this problem. Such agencies should share information and practices and work together to eliminate human trafficking around the world.
Moreover, it is imperative that appropriate measures are put in place to support the victims who manage to escape. They need to know that they are not alone and that they will get help with rejoining society, rebuilding their lives and dealing with the enormous psychological trauma they have had to deal with.
