Third ISA Forum of Sociology (July 10-14, 2016)

354

Forced Migration and Trafficking in Persons in the Contemporary World: The Variables of Gender, Man-Made Disaster and Economic Liberalization

RC31 Sociology of Migration (host committee)

Language: English

Forced migration and sex trafficking are one of the fastest growing areas of international criminal activity and one of increasing concern for the international community. According to US State Department, human trafficking generates a revenue of approximately 9.5 billion dollars annually, making the second largest criminal industry in the world today. This phenomenon presents an increasing global problem that involves sexual and human rights exploitation. Forced migration and trafficking in persons share many elements in common such as their vulnerability and their lack of protection and security.
Today, it is a complex development issue, as the vast majority of trafficking victims are the consequences of poverty, unemployment, cultural practices as well as natural disasters. Trafficking is a health problem, as trafficked women and children are most at risk from HIV infection. It is a gender problem, as unequal power relations reinforce women’s secondary status in society. Lastly, it is a legal problem, as they are stripped of their human rights and lack any access to redress for the crimes committed against them. 
Thus, considering the above, this session will focus on the nexus between forced migration and trafficking in persons taking into account the variables of age, gender and man-made disaster. Such an exploration and debate of all possible variables involved in forcing people to migrate or trafficking will aim at finding ways of improving the coordination of efforts at the regional, national and global levels against sex trafficking, as well as strengthening gender-sensitive approaches in all anti-trafficking efforts. Posters: