We are pleased to share our new statement on trafficking in persons, a heinous crime and an abuse of human rights. Trafficking in persons (also known as human trafficking) is commonly defined as the use of violence, deception or coercion to transport, recruit or harbor people in order to exploit them for purposes such as forced prostitution, forced labor, criminality, marriage or organ removal.

Each year, thousands of women, men and children (victims) fall into the hands of traffickers in their own countries and abroad. Perpetrators of human trafficking target the marginalized and the impoverished, entrapping victims—the majority of whom are women and girls—for sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic service and other forms of exploitation.

Zonta International is an organization pledged to empowering women at global and local levels, and to promoting justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Eliminating human trafficking is therefore critical to enabling women to achieve their full potential and live in a world without fear of violence.

Zonta International calls on governments to: take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of trafficking in women and girls (within or across borders) and to prevent exploitation of women and girls. Read more in our statement below.

Trafficking in Persons: A Human Rights Issue