In a world on the move, trafficking in human beings (THB) is a billion-dollar business with a high human cost. Globally, millions of people are estimated to be victims of this crime. In line with the SDGs, THB is explicitly recognized as a form of violence against women and girls, and gender and age are being identified as structural, underlying factors linked to THB. Indeed, identified victims are overwhelmingly female (71 %) and many are children (almost 1 in 3). This session will shed light on the nexus between gender, age and THB, with a strong emphasis on understanding socio-cultural factors and underlying mechanisms that render women and girls vulnerable to exploitation, as to ultimately prevent trafficking of these groups and to empower women and girls.
