TRAFFICKING POLICY IN CEE: A GENDER PERSPECTIVE?

Sara ClaveroYvonne Galligan

Queen’s University Belfast

Background to the Study

Project objective: “Evaluate women’s influence on the adoption and implementation of Commission and national policies such as gender mainstreaming and the equality acquis”

Trafficking as a GM case study New policy Bottom-up policy

A Gender Equality Perspective in Trafficking Policy No consensus among feminists on

understanding and approaches to the problem

Trafficking Protocol Inclusive process

Genders victims of trafficking

Links trafficking, prostitution and sexual exploitation

Focuses on rights for victims

Addresses structural factors

Acknowledges issue of demand

Trafficking Legislation and Policy Integrated anti-trafficking law only in 2

countries National programmes only in 5 countries Focus on criminal aspects rather than

prevention and victim support Demand side of the problem not

acknowledged Not inclusive process

Role of NGOs Great diversity of NGOs in relation to

focus and approach to trafficking Most NGOs involved in a broad range

of activities in the areas of government lobbying, awareness-raising and victim protection and support

Difficult cooperation among NGOs Trans-national networking

Conclusions GM in trafficking policy of CEE

Lack of a gender-sensitive approach to anti-trafficking policy and legislation

Women’s interests, needs and experiences excluded from policy-making

GM theory Exposes political character of GE/GM Vindicates a participatory model of GM

implementation