Cambodia is a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking. The trafficking for women and children becomes more concerned issue in the world as well as in Cambodia.
Cambodian men are more likely trafficked for forced labors in the field of construction, agricultural sector, while Cambodian women and children are trafficked for sexual exploitation ( the cases are mostly happening to Cambodian women and children) , Forced labor in garment sector and as domestic servants is also appeared.
The victims are treated badly; they suffered from abuse, torture, sexuality including detention etc.
There are many causes of human trafficking; they are counted as poverty, unemployment, fail to education etc. Poverty is the most significant cause of trafficking. The most common form of trafficking is found out that people cheated families of the poor in finding new job, good paid work to do, or they are lured to work in the city where business activities are keeping so busy. The victims need better living condition expecting to find a better job when they migrate to the city or neighboring country.
Caritas Cambodia will develop country report on gender and trafficking in 2009. However, Caritas Cambodia has special focus on 3 activities and this will be carried out in the program implementation:
The Pan-Asia Anti-Trafficking program will continue to enable partner agencies and MOs to empower women and children to protect themselves from trafficking and to stimulate the religious and civic leaders to become partners of the anti-trafficking campaign. The program will be built on the efforts undertaken by Caritas Asia (CA) partners in grassroots animation, organization and mobilization. It will strengthen the collaboration of the CA partners with other national and Pan-Asia networks. The program will address the demand side and raise awareness of partners and like minded organizations in East Asia and Malaysia. This will continue to culminate in Asia-wide events to be celebrated in many Asian countries. The program will also build up networks with other International Networks.
The strategy of Program is designed to be implemented over a period of three years. The program will be implemented at local, national, the Pan-Asia levels and links at International levels.
Trafficking is a complex and multidimensional problem, often requiring a multi-pronged and multidisciplinary approach. A number of the Partner Organizations of Caritas Asia, notably in South Asia, have had several years of successful experience in implementing extensive anti-trafficking programs. PA’s in other area’s are still struggling to establish their programs, and are very much in need of examples and advice.
