Gender-based violence and trafficking
Trafficking must be addressed from a gender perspective that recognises that trafficking affects women and men differently and that its causes and consequences are deeply linked to gender inequality.
Trafficking falls within the scope of GBV because
- It mainly affects women and girls, especially when trafficking is carried out for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced surrogacy, and forced marriage.
- It takes advantage of the vulnerability generated by inequality, poverty, discrimination, and previous violence to which women and girls are subjected because of their gender.
- It is a form of gender-based violence, recognised as such by international organisations.
Importance of a gender and intersectional approach
It is also essential to apply an intersectional approach that understands that not all women experience the same violence: some face greater risks due to the combination of various forms of discrimination (because they are migrants, young, racialised, poor, etc.).
Trafficking particularly affects those who are most vulnerable, such as:
- Young women,
- Migrant women,
- Women without a support network or in contexts of exclusion.
This is because inequality and discrimination increase exposure to risks and reduce opportunities for protection.
- Migrant women may face additional obstacles such as language barriers, lack of documentation, racism, or ignorance of their rights, which increases the risk of falling into trafficking networks.
- Women who suffer multiple forms of discrimination (based on origin, age, economic situation, identity or orientation, disability, etc.) may be even more exposed.
