Hindu Editorial Analysis : 10-July-2023
The report titled “From Evidence to Action: Twenty Years of IOM Child Trafficking Data to Inform Policy and Programming” was prepared by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. The report sheds light on various aspects of child trafficking and provides valuable insights for policymakers and programmers working in this field.
Gender-specific Trafficking
According to the report, child trafficking victims come from diverse backgrounds and genders. The dataset reveals that 57.4 percent of child victims were female, while 42.6 percent were male. This highlights the importance of addressing child trafficking comprehensively, without disregarding any specific gender.
Age-wise Data
The report emphasizes that no age range is immune to child trafficking. Children from the age of 0 to 17 have fallen victim to this heinous crime. Among them, children aged 13-17 formed the largest group of victims, accounting for 46.6 percent. Alarmingly, the report also highlights that 12.6 percent of child victims were between the ages of 0 and 2, indicating that some children are born into trafficking.
Trafficking for Forced Labour
Approximately 43.4 percent of child trafficking victims were forced into labor. These victims, mainly boys, were exploited in various industries such as domestic work, begging, and agriculture. The report underscores the need to address forced labor and create measures to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation
Sexual exploitation, including prostitution, pornography, and sexual servitude, affected 20 percent of trafficked children, predominantly girls. The report highlights that victims trafficked for sexual exploitation were often trafficked internationally, while those trafficked for forced labor were more likely to be trafficked domestically. It further reveals that children trafficked internationally were predominantly sent to wealthier neighboring countries.
Other Reasons for Trafficking
The report acknowledges that child victims were also exploited in various other sectors, including domestic work (14.5 percent), begging (10.2 percent), hospitality (3.4 percent), and agriculture (3.3 percent). These findings highlight the need for comprehensive measures to combat child trafficking across different industries.
Countries of Trafficking
Europe and Central Asia accounted for approximately 37.3 percent of child victims trafficked for sexual exploitation. Moreover, over 56.9 percent of identified child victims were trafficked within their own country of origin. These statistics emphasize the importance of addressing child trafficking on both regional and national levels.
Involvement of Keens
More than half of the child victims reported the involvement of friends and family in their recruitment into trafficking. Friends accounted for 37.4 percent, while family members accounted for 14.7 percent. Together, these figures amount to 51.1 percent, indicating that close relationships can be exploited for the purposes of child trafficking.
Report Database
The report draws on extensive globally sourced data from the IOM Victims of Trafficking Database (VoTD). This database is the largest international collection of individual trafficking victims, containing primary data from approximately 69,000 victims of human trafficking. These victims represent 156 nationalities and were trafficked in 186 countries. Remarkably, 18.3 percent of the database comprises child victims, underscoring the urgency to address this issue.
Suggestions by the Report and the Way Ahead
Integrating Counter-trafficking with Global Issues
The report recommends integrating counter-trafficking efforts into climate change, environmental, and disaster risk reduction policies and programs. It emphasizes the need for tailored programs that address the vulnerability of children to trafficking during preparedness and response to disasters. By recognizing the interconnectedness of these global issues, policymakers and programmers can better protect children from trafficking.
Empowering Communities
The report emphasizes the importance of empowering communities affected by climate change, environmental degradation, and disasters. By developing community-based mitigation strategies, these communities can play a significant role in reducing human trafficking. By addressing the root causes and vulnerabilities, such as poverty and lack of opportunities, it becomes possible to create a more resilient society that can better protect its children.
Why In News
The report, titled “From Evidence to Action: Twenty Years of IOM Child Trafficking Data to Inform Policy and Programming,” was meticulously compiled by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the prestigious François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. This groundbreaking study sheds light on two decades’ worth of invaluable data, empowering policymakers and practitioners with the knowledge needed to drive effective interventions and combat child trafficking worldwide.
MCQs about Child Trafficking
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Which sector had the highest percentage of child trafficking victims?
A. Agriculture
B. Domestic work
C. Begging
D. Hospitality
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Which region accounted for the highest percentage of child trafficking victims trafficked for sexual exploitation?
A. Europe and Central Asia
B. North America
C. Sub-Saharan Africa
D. South Asia
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What is the largest available international database of individual victims of trafficking?
A. IOM Victims of Trafficking Database (VoTD)
B. François-Xavier Bagnoud Center Database
C. Harvard University Trafficking Database (HUTD)
D. International Organization for Migration Database (IOMD)
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