CONCEPT PAPER AND PROGRAMME
Trafficking in persons exploits women, men, girls, and boys of all ages; it violates fundamental human rights and offends human dignity. Trafficking in persons and violence against women and girls are deeply interconnected, as women and girls face higher risks of sexual and gender- based violence.
According to the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (2024), the majority of detected victims of trafficking worldwide are women and girls, accounting for 61% of the total in 2022. Most of them continue to be trafficked for sexual exploitation and for forced labour, particularly for domestic work, as well as for other types of exploitation, including forced marriage and forced criminality. At the same time, the number of children among detected victims has alarmingly increased by a third over three years, with the number of girls detected increased by 38%. This increase can largely be attributed to girls trafficked within national borders for sexual exploitation and for mixed labour and sexual exploitation.
Efforts to combat trafficking in persons must address gender-based violence, entranced gender inequalities, stereotypes and harmful social norms, including economic instability and economic violence. A holistic approach, including of improving policy and legal frameworks and providing a victim-centered approach, is necessary to address this crime efficiently. In addition, new technologies have been increasingly exposing children to online child trafficking and women and girls in particular to online gender-based violence, requiring enhanced attention to prevent these issues and better protect targeted groups.
With the adoption of the Pact for the Future by Heads of State and Government last September, the international community has renewed its commitment to intensify international, regional and national efforts to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and eliminate all forms of child labour.
On the occasion of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Permanent Missions of Cyprus and Tajikistan to the United Nations, together with UNODC and UNDP Fast Initiative, are hosting this side event with the following objectives:
- To explore the linkages between trafficking in persons and violence against women and girls, and assess the reasons of the particular situation of vulnerability in women and girls to trafficking in persons;
- To discuss the type of measures needed against trafficking in women and girls and the elimination of all forms of violence against and exploitation of women and girls;
- To share and exchange policies and strategies on how the crime of trafficking women and girls for sexual exploitation can be addressed, including legal and technical assistance needed in order to provide effective countermeasures;
- To discuss how to best prevent and address the risks of trafficking in women and girls and gender-based violence happening online and through new technologies;
- To explore how the economic independence and empowerment of all women and girls can break the cycle of gender-based violence and its linkage with trafficking in person.
The event will be conducted in a panel format comprised by UN Member States, UNODC, UNDP Fast Initiative and civil society organisations. For in person attendance, please register your participation here by 11 March 2025 (for UN Badge holders only). The event will be webcasted on UN Web TV.
PROGRAM
| 11:30-11:45 | WELCOME REMARKS
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| 11:45-12:10 | PANEL DISCUSSION
· Ms. Delphine Schantz, Representative of the UNODC Liaison Office in New York · Mr. Thomas Beloe, Director UNDP Sustainable Finance Hub · Ms. Taina Bien-Aimé, Executive Director, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women · Ms. Stephanie Newsome, Director of Economic Empowerment, Restore NYC |
| 12:10-12:20 | INTERVENTION BY MEMBER STATES AND PARTICIPANTS |
| 12:20-12:40 | Q&A and DISCUSSION |
| 12:40-12:45 | CLOSING REMARKS |
| Moderator: | H.E. Mrs. Maria Michail, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations. |