Child trafficking
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© UNICEF/LAO04799/Holmes |
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A rescued trafficking victim back home in Lao PDR |
The Issues
Human trafficking is pervasive in our region – about a third of the global trafficking of women and children is estimated to take place within or from South-East Asia. Tremendous population movements in the past decade have contributed to the increase in exploitation of the most vulnerable, enabling traffickers an easier preying field.
- Human trafficking is widespread. Every country in our region is affected by trafficking as a place of origin and/or destination and transit. Trafficking occurs domestically, regionally and globally.
- The link with migration. Migration has been one of the driving forces behind our region’s economic development, but it has also enabled increased human trafficking and exploitation.
- Children are being trafficked for many reasons. These include forced and exploitative labour, forced marriage, illegal adoption and commercial sexual exploitation.
- Trafficking arises from many factors. Demand creates the market or destination for trafficked children. The lack of respect for children’s rights (including the low status of girls), inadequate legislation and poor law enforcement facilitate the trade in children. Poverty, unemployment, desire for a better life, lack of education, family problems, domestic violence, abuse, neglect and emergency situations increase young people’s vulnerability to being trafficked.
- Trafficking often affects the most vulnerable. Girls, ethnic minorities, tribal groups, stateless people and refugees often are targeted by traffickers.
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© UNICEF/EAP00027/Youkonton |
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Children working on the street are easier prey for human traffickers in Thailand |
UNICEF in Action
Prevention is the cornerstone of UNICEF’s efforts to combat child trafficking in our region. UNICEF’s response includes the following key activities:
- Strengthening families and communities to better protect children;
- Educating children on the dangers of migration and trafficking;
- Supporting efforts and programmes to assist trafficked children and to reunite them with their families and communities when feasible;
- Promoting law reviews to comply with international standards and conducting training; and
- Developing cross-border agreements to prosecute traffickers and ensure the safe return of trafficked children.
