Trafficking of women and children is among the global issues and problems that are affecting families currently. It is an issue of concern to the government of United States as it is in other places of the world. In addition, it is an international criminal activity since in most cases; it is carried out by members of the organized crime in the international realm. The government of United states defines women and children trafficking as “ All acts involved in the transport, harboring or sale of persons within national or across the international borders through coercion , force, kidnapping, deception or fraud, for purposes of placing persons in institutions of forced labor or services , such as forced prostitution, domestic servitude, debt bondage, or other slavery like-like practices”(Miko & Park, 2002 pp. 1).
In United States and in other countries as well; trafficking is regarded as such without putting the willingness of the child into consideration. Although men are affected, women and children are the most affected since they are more susceptible to factors that influence the same like economic hardships as well low levels of education. With that background in mind, this essay shall focus more on the issue of human trafficking in reference to women and children. In addition, the paper shall discuss the relationship between trafficking and globalization as well as the probable solutions to the same problem.
As highlighted in the introductory part, trafficking is a problem of a wide scope since studies indicate that it ranks third among the activities that generate income and profit to the organized crime. Further studies indicate that gangs earn billions of dollars from it every year. As much as the problem affects almost every country in the world, it generally involves the flow of people from the third world countries to the countries which are developed. In addition, it can also involve countries which are better off economically although they may be developing (NHRC – UNIFEM – ISS Project, 2004).
Being a criminal activity, it proves quite difficult to come up with reliable statistics since most of the activities which are practiced are done underground. Nevertheless, the available official statistics demonstrate the seriousness of the problem since studies of Miko & Park (2002) indicate that more than seven hundred thousand people are trafficked every year in the whole world. The number is unevenly distributed in various continents since more than two hundred and twenty five thousand and one hundred and fifty thousand victims hail form Southeast Asia and South Asia respectively. More than one hundred thousand of humans trafficked for the purpose of sex industry hail form the former Soviet Union. Over fifty thousand and seventy thousand come from Eastern Europe and Africa respectively. Finally, one hundred thousand come from Latin America and the Caribbean as illustrated in the studies of Miko & Park (2002).
The largest number of victims ends up in Middle East, North America as well as Western Europe. Demand for the trafficked women and children are usually high not only in cities but also in the military bases as well as near the tourist centers.
Having discussed the scope of the problem, it is important to discuss the causative factors which are inclusive but not limited to poverty, ignorance, as well as disasters such as war and different crisis. During the time of crisis, women and children become more vulnerable as they require more safety and are more disadvantaged in terms of self defense. In most communities, women are still viewed as inferior to men and as a result, they are more disadvantaged economically and education wise. Since young girls are mostly discriminated in the families thus, they are often sold to human traffickers to contribute to the income of poor families. In places that have been characterized by major conflicts and wars like Yugoslavia, the inhabitants become so much eager for better life and high standards of living an end up being susceptible to human trafficking (Williams, 1997).
In most parts of the world, there is high demand not only for cheap labor but also for sex tourism as well as sex workers. Worse still, prostitution is not only tolerated in most countries but it is also legal. Laws for preventing human trafficking are not only lenient but the crime is not taken seriously since the penalty involved when such laws are broken is usually less compared to the penalty of the other crimes. The fact that the trade is carried out by criminal gangs which are greatly feared also hampers the process of police investigation. More to that, there are bribes which pave way for the issuing of fake documents to the traffickers concealing the evil even more (Territo & Kirkham, 2009).
Even though the above named factors have played an important role in influencing human trafficking, globalization has played a major role in the same. To begin with, it has contributed to the globalization of the world economy which is marked by proliferation of boundaries between different countries and continents. As a result, there is usually not only free flow of goods from one country to another but also free or unrestricted flow of people from one country to another.
The same has led to great competition and people are always eager to move from their country of origin to other countries in search of better living standards. Due to the free flow of people, goods and services as well as money, it becomes pretty easy for the organized crime gang to carry out their activities with few or no restrictions at all. International organized crime operates as any other type of trade and is equally favored by globalization (Human Rights Watch, 2000)
Gangs which are involved in trafficking are inclusive but not limited to Japanese Yakuza, Gangs from Central American, Asia, Russia, Mexico and Chinese as well as Vietnamese Triads. In most cases, the gangs liaise with other traffickers and help to provide fake documents as well as other services like transportation. Victims to be trafficked are acquired through kidnapping after which they are transported to foreign countries to be used as domestic workers or in any other type of forced labor.
In some cases, victims migrate voluntarily after being enticed with attractive job offers. Once they arrive at the foreign countries, they are charged a lot of money for the services offered and are forced to work so as to pay the debt. Some traffickers like the Russian gang go to the extent t of using marriage agencies to trap victims. Therefore, traffickers use all the available means to have women and children transferred to foreign countries where are exploited accordingly (Territo & Kirkham, 2009).
Since human trafficking is crime that violates the rights of an individual, there are many consequences that result from the same. To begin with, the future of the victim is destroyed since studies indicate that while most of the victims are below twenty five years, sometimes very young girls below the age of ten are also targeted. Victims are not only abused physically but also psychologically. They may be beaten, raped, starved, secluded and forced to use drugs, to mention just a few. Consequently, victims suffer from psychological disorders, HIV Aids and other diseases. Worse still, they are not often given any medical attention such that they may even die while others may even be killed (Kelly & Council of Europe, 2003).
According to the studies of NHRC – UNIFEM – ISS Project (2004), the problem of trafficking can be solved. The study illustrates that the problem can be solved through prosecution, protection and prevention. Prosecution is a long process which involves conducting investigation to identify criminals, measures used to conduct criminal activities and any other method used to carry out the evil activity. Apart from prosecution, it is important to put in measures that can ensure that women and children are protected from the traffickers. Laws and polices that enhance protection should be established and implemented as recommended by the United Nations. Nevertheless, prevention is the most important solution to the problem.
Most countries in the world have identified human trafficking as a problem of concern and have established laws and policies to combat the issue. Other government and non governmental agencies have also been playing a big role in trying to curb the same problem. However, it is important to understand the origin of the problem like the impacts of globalization to be in a position to come up with viable solutions (Ehrenreich & Hochschild, 2004). Therefore, although trafficking is a complicated problem, it can be solved if all the concerned stakeholders can play their roles effectively. By so doing, families and the whole society can live peacefully and in harmony.
References
Ehrenreich, B. & Hochschild, A. R. (2004). Global woman: nannies, maids, and sex workers in the new economy. New York : Henry Holt and Co. Web.
Human Rights Watch. (2000). International Trafficking of Women and Children. Web.
Kelly, L. & Council of Europe. (2003). Violence against women and children: vision, innovation and professionalism in policing; VIP guide, Volume 795. London: Council of Europe. Web.
Miko, F. T. & Park, G. (2002). Trafficking in Women and Children: The U.S. and International Response. New York: Congressional Research Service. Web.
NHRC – UNIFEM – ISS Project. (2004). Trafficking of Women and Children in India 2002-2003. New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission. Web.
Territo, L. & Kirkham, G. (2009). International Sex Trafficking of Women & Children: Understanding the Global Epidemic. New York: Looseleaf Law Publications. Web.
Williams, P. (1997). Trafficking in Women and Children: A Market Perspective. Transnational Organized Crime, 3 (4), pp. 145 to 170. Web.