Human trafficking is the modern day name of slavery. According to United Nations reports, the international trade in human trafficking is now the fastest growing business of organized crime.
The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children says, “trafficking in human beings is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of force. It may also involve abduction, fraud, deception; abuse of power or the giving and receiving of payments for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery-like practices, servitude or the removal of organs.”
Patriarchy, power imbalances, and male dominance are the pre-existing conditions that pave the way for human trafficking around the world. This complex phenomenon is fueled by multiple factors including: poverty; lack of substantial livelihood/lack of employment opportunities; structural inequities in society; gender-based discrimination; armed conflict; illiteracy and lack of education; present developmental models and globalization. Ultimately it increases receptivity to human trafficking, siphoning countries of vital, irreplaceable human resources.
War, armed conflict, and militarization and economic hardship go hand in hand for women and children. These situations generally force people to migrate, increasing the natural movement of people in search of opportunities and a better life. Women and children are more likely to be separated from their families and communities while in search of a safe environment and economic stability. This separation causes them to be vulnerable and marginalized, making them easy prey for traffickers. Post-conflict situations can be equally challenging. Recent global consumption patterns have dramatically shifted, impacting trafficking trends.
A relational pattern can be seen between developing and developed countries as consumption trends become more pronounced in developed countries. The increased demand for goods by developed countries subsequently results in increasing demands for cheap labor from developing countries to supply the necessary goods. In order to fill the demand, women are often trafficked for domestic labor, arranged marriages, prostitution or forced labor. Consequently developed countries have not only become consumers of goods produced in the developing world but consumers of the “new human cash crop”. Inevitably the pressures of supply and demand of goods have resulted in social, economic, and political conditions that make women and children more vulnerable to trafficking.
Protracted political conflict and militarization of Naga society increased forms of psychological and physical violence which has given rise to conditions previously described. Furthermore, the pervasive nature of unemployment is attributed to a weak private sector and the domination of a strong public sector. The imbalance between the sectors contributes to marginalizing youth in search of work as the state expands and exerts its control over people’s lives. When society is weakened economically, it creates an atmosphere conducive to gender violence, exploitation of women and children, and human trafficking. Protracted trauma, which Nagas have experienced and internalized, is being expressed through other forms of violence as they turn the pain inward and outward, hurting themselves and others. Sexual violence against women is rising; contradicting and eroding the meaning and purpose of co-existence. To fight trafficking, Nagas first need to overcome denial and accept that Nagaland has become fertile ground for human trafficking.
The Morung Express :: Nagaland News | Current News | Latest News | Breaking News - Fighting Denial
The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children says, “trafficking in human beings is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of force. It may also involve abduction, fraud, deception; abuse of power or the giving and receiving of payments for purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery-like practices, servitude or the removal of organs.”
Patriarchy, power imbalances, and male dominance are the pre-existing conditions that pave the way for human trafficking around the world. This complex phenomenon is fueled by multiple factors including: poverty; lack of substantial livelihood/lack of employment opportunities; structural inequities in society; gender-based discrimination; armed conflict; illiteracy and lack of education; present developmental models and globalization. Ultimately it increases receptivity to human trafficking, siphoning countries of vital, irreplaceable human resources.
War, armed conflict, and militarization and economic hardship go hand in hand for women and children. These situations generally force people to migrate, increasing the natural movement of people in search of opportunities and a better life. Women and children are more likely to be separated from their families and communities while in search of a safe environment and economic stability. This separation causes them to be vulnerable and marginalized, making them easy prey for traffickers. Post-conflict situations can be equally challenging. Recent global consumption patterns have dramatically shifted, impacting trafficking trends.
A relational pattern can be seen between developing and developed countries as consumption trends become more pronounced in developed countries. The increased demand for goods by developed countries subsequently results in increasing demands for cheap labor from developing countries to supply the necessary goods. In order to fill the demand, women are often trafficked for domestic labor, arranged marriages, prostitution or forced labor. Consequently developed countries have not only become consumers of goods produced in the developing world but consumers of the “new human cash crop”. Inevitably the pressures of supply and demand of goods have resulted in social, economic, and political conditions that make women and children more vulnerable to trafficking.
Protracted political conflict and militarization of Naga society increased forms of psychological and physical violence which has given rise to conditions previously described. Furthermore, the pervasive nature of unemployment is attributed to a weak private sector and the domination of a strong public sector. The imbalance between the sectors contributes to marginalizing youth in search of work as the state expands and exerts its control over people’s lives. When society is weakened economically, it creates an atmosphere conducive to gender violence, exploitation of women and children, and human trafficking. Protracted trauma, which Nagas have experienced and internalized, is being expressed through other forms of violence as they turn the pain inward and outward, hurting themselves and others. Sexual violence against women is rising; contradicting and eroding the meaning and purpose of co-existence. To fight trafficking, Nagas first need to overcome denial and accept that Nagaland has become fertile ground for human trafficking.
The Morung Express :: Nagaland News | Current News | Latest News | Breaking News - Fighting Denial
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