European Women's Lobby Fights Trafficking in Women with Gendered Human Rights Approach
Thursday, August 10, 2006 11:13 AM
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) has stressed the importance of a gendered human rights perspective in implementing European Union policy concerning trafficking in women. In the first week of June, representatives from 16 countries, mainly from the region of Southeast Europe, met in Croatia to participate in a conference entitled, “Preventing Trafficking in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations: Who is Responsible?” The conference is one component of a larger project jointly coordinated by EWL and the Coalition against Trafficking in Women (CATW) that seeks to address the gaps in anti-trafficking programs and policies. The conference highlighted the critical role played by women’s NGOs in implementing and monitoring international anti-trafficking laws, as well as the importance of NGO-provided services to victims of trafficking. The EWL has also developed the Nordic Baltic Pilot Project, an initiative which aims to improve support systems for victims, facilitate safe returns for women, and provide rehabilitation to trafficking victims. The project seeks to define and address the problem of trafficking using a human rights model. Compiled from: "Combating trafficking in the EU: EWL develops steps for a gendered human rights approach," European Women's Lobby, www.womenlobby.org, Accessed 10 August 2006.