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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID Trafficking in Persons Strategy
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2004-xxx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2004
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - Women and children's vulnerability and the low status of females, combined with poverty and expanding global markets for sex and cheap labor are at the root of trafficking. The acceptability of violence against women within many societies contributes to a dynamic through which traffickers and clients see women as expendable. The social cost of trafficking to individuals, families, communities and countries is immeasurable. More importantly, this form of modern-day slavery is an abuse of fundamental human rights that degrades all our humanity.
USAID is playing an active role within a coordinated U.S. Government and international effort to address trafficking in persons. USAID has programs in more than 40 countries that support a wide range of efforts. They include public education, capacity building for local civil society anti-trafficking groups, training for officials in the judiciary and other developing country government departments that are critical to the war on trafficking, victim assistance through shelters and counseling, and legislative reform to strengthen prosecution of traffickers.
In 2003, USAID issued a Trafficking in Persons strategy entitled "Trafficking in Persons: USAID's Strategy for Response." This effort was meant to guide USAID's programs to prevent trafficking of persons for sexual or economic exploitation, to protect trafficking victims by reducing the vulnerability of women, children and men to traffickers, and to promote the political will and legal and institutional capacity needed to eliminate trafficking.
USAID field missions, regional bureaus and the Office of Women in Development (WID) provided over $15 million for specific anti-trafficking activities in 2003. This is an increase of more than 50 percent from 2002. Missions and regional bureaus provided approximately $5.7 million in Central and Southeast Europe and Eurasia, $3.2 million in Asia, $2.5 million in Africa and $1 million in Latin America and the Caribbean, with $3 million worldwide from the WID Office.
Despite the progress made, trafficking in persons remains a significant global problem. Fighting trafficking is a continuing priority for USAID. The progress made provides hope that we can reach even greater achievements in the future. Based upon our development experience and our direct anti-trafficking activities in 40 countries, USAID is stepping up its efforts with more partners and new approaches and is expanding existing programs. The phenomenon of sex tourism is of concern to the U.S. Government, and USAID is joining the effort to stop this horrendous abuse of women and children. The problem of trafficking in conflict and post-conflict zones will also receive increased attention from USAID. Finally, USAID is working to help trafficking victims find a new life after the abuse, fear, and physical and emotional damage visited upon them.
The U.S. Agency for International
Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance
worldwide for more than 40 years.
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