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Shared Hope International News Release
April 26, 2005
Contact: Karrie
Delaney
Director of Communications
Tel: 703.351.8062
Karrie@sharedhope.org
First Regional Meeting to Tackle Demand for Child Sex Tourism and Sex Trafficking in East and Southeast Asia
Conference hosted by National Committee of UNIFEM (Singapore) &
War Against Trafficking Alliance
Singapore (26 April, 2005) - In an unprecedented gathering of government and civil society officials, leaders from 14 nations will participate in a three-day conference in Singapore. The forum aims to develop and increase effective measures to stop demand for child sex tourism and sex trafficking in East and Southeast Asia.
The conference will be opened by Prof Vitit Muntarbhorn, Awarded UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education for human rights at national, regional and international levels. He has served as Special Rapporteur for UN and ECPAT on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.
“This gathering offers key opportunities to form and strengthen effective national and international networks for action against the demand factor for child sex tourism,” said Muntarbhorn. He added, “It must be a coordinated and cooperative effort if we are to succeed in eradicating human trafficking, especially child sex trafficking from this region. It is most timely for ASEAN countries to tackle the issue in view of its recent declaration against trafficking.”
The trafficking in persons, including children, for purposes of sexual exploitation is a highly organized and lucrative business, increasingly exploiting the most vulnerable members of our societies. Demand for child prostitutes has come from both locals and foreigners including tourists, military, travelers, businessmen and expatriates (ECPAT Australia 2004).
Linda Smith, Founder and President of the War Against Trafficking Alliance said: “Many governments in the region have existing legislation while others are working to implement tougher laws that increase the cost for those preying on vulnerable women and
youth. This conference is in response to the incredible momentum building in this region to combat demand and restore thousands of lives victimized by trafficking.”
Melissa Kwee, President, National Committee of UNIFEM, Singapore said: “Strategies to address poverty and other 'supply-side' social and economic vulnerabilities have met with some success. But much more can be done to address the demand for sex trafficking and child sex tourism.” She added, “These measures can include law reform, education, building a global network of activists and increasing corporate social responsibility, especially in the travel and tourism industry. Each country will need to find their approach, but regional and international cooperation will be essential.”
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ABOUT UNIFEM
UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies that promote women's human rights, political participation and economic security. Within the UN system, UNIFEM promotes gender equality and links women's issues and concerns to national, regional and global agendas by fostering collaboration and providing technical expertise on gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment strategies. The National Committee of UNIFEM, Singapore was established as a society in January 1998 and functions as a National Committee of UNIFEM.
ABOUT WATA
The War Against Trafficking Alliance (WATA) seeks to advance the cause of anti-trafficking efforts by providing forum and training for government, nongovernmental and private sector leaders. WATA affirms the dignity of human life, seeking to build measures that restore those victimized by human traffickers and successful prosecutions of those who exploit and profit from this trade. WATA was founded by Shared Hope International in 2001 in order to galvanize the first United States World Summit to combat human trafficking.
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