Trafficking: A Terrible Tragedy

In spite of 60 years which have passed since the Declaration of Human Rights has been first signed women's health issues have been neglected leading to a violation of their human rights. One of the most heinous crimes being committed against women is Trafficking.

Despite an increased awareness about the devastating effects of this horrific practice among policy makers, government officials, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and researchers, human trafficking continues to be a rampant worldwide occurrence. Trafficking in persons can be separated into two distinct categories: 1.forced labor, and 2.prostitution, also known as sex trafficking. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recognizes it as “one of the world's fastest growing crimes.4 The United Nations Population Fund's State of the World Population 2006 report states that human trafficking is the third most lucrative illicit business in the world after arms and drug trafficking

This presentation will discuss the relationship between women's health and human rights and examine the effects of trafficking and recent trends and discuss how the global public health work force can work at local , national and international levels with partnering institutions to address this crime against women and children .