Ending trafficking for sexual exploitation: Lessons from survivors and activist movements

More than two decades since the adoption of the Palermo Protocol, sex trafficking remains one of the scourges of our time. In recent years, sex trafficking is increasing, a situation that has been compounded by global crises that have resulted in more women and girls and other marginalised people becoming increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. These include the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in the misuse of digital technologies in trafficking and sexual exploitation, and The impacts of climate change, conflict, and associated poverty have manifested in significant migration and vulnerability. 

A hybrid side event will be taking place in the margins of the upcoming 11th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (COP UNTOC).

Panelists will discuss emerging trends, highlight survivors’ and activists’ mobilising and advocacy, make recommendations to governments and international bodies on addressing the gaps in protecting people vulnerable to sex trafficking and bringing perpetrators to account, and contribute to effectively implementing the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo Protocol.

Moderator: Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Advisor on Anti-Trafficking Issues at OSCE/ODIHR

Panel: 

• Ioana Bauer, Chairwoman, eLiberare, Romania 
• Catherine Wanjohi, Executive Director, LifeBloom Services International, Kenya
• Jane Lasonder, Survivor of Human Trafficking, International speaker, Author and Founder of Red Alert Taskforce
• Ruchira Gupta, Founder President Apne Aap Women Worldwide   

Closing remarks: Tsitsi Matekaire, Global Lead, End Sexual Exploitation, Equality Now 

You can register to join us online via zoom, or if you are already attending the conference in person we’ll be in Room M3 Vienna International Centre.