Resolution: Combat trafficking of women and girls in Southasia

One of the significant challenges for the Southasian region is to combat human trafficking. We are confronted with a lack of information about the magnitude of the problem and the dimensions of human trafficking for our region as a whole,  although our individual countries have developed some understanding of this, restricting it within their boundaries. 

The Sapan seminar on ‘Combat Trafficking of Women in Southasia’ held on Sunday, 30 July 2023, has been one of the rare occasions when trafficking has been discussed at the regional level, although what we examined and shared was only the tip of the iceberg. We shared some heartbreaking stories, analysed the current response systems, including individual country legal frameworks and policies. 

Southasia Peace Action Network, Sapan, appeals to all SAARC nations to come together on this humanitarian cause and take forward work under the SAARC Convention on Combating and Preventing Trafficking of Women and Children by assembling a working committee to understand the modus operandi, causes, and consequences of human trafficking in the region. 

We would also like the committee to delve into an exploration of the economics and finances behind human trafficking in our region and identify the social, economic, political, and cultural causes of human trafficking at the household, community, and regional level along with understanding the linkages between migration, missing persons and human trafficking. 

We also appeal to all NGOs and initiatives at the community level that are addressing this issue to write to their individual nation-states urging them to activate SAARC on this. 

Sapan would like to be part of the collective of initiatives at the regional level and assist at all levels, including research, policy, programmes and communication of information to the region.

Sapan would like to propose a Southasian Tribunal on combating the trafficking of women and girls in Southasia so that the issues can be problematised realistically at a regional level. 

Endorsed by participants of the seminar ‘Combat the Trafficking of Women and Girls in Southasia’ 

Sunday, 30 July 2023