The questions at the core of this inquiry address trafficking and ICTs as defined by activists within the two discourses. It also explores pivotal and at times controversial questions: What role do ICTs play in human trafficking and are ICTs used as a distraction from serious counter-trafficking work? Can the trafficking of images be discussed or does the issue of trafficking only apply to human beings? How does privacy relate to the issue of ICTs, is it contrary to counter-trafficking or does it play an essential role in a larger movement to create necessary protections and freedoms for those in society?

Finally, the paper asks what is being done by governments, feminists, civil society organizations, and other actors and what can be done to address these pertinent issues.

The paper is a joint publication of AWID and APC WNSP. It was written by Kathleen Maltzahn who has worked on the issue of trafficking since 1992. The paper is part of a series of forthcoming issue papers from the APC WNSP, examining ICTs from a gender perspective in order to initiate greater reflection and debate around ICT policies. The issue paper is available in English, Spanish and French in PDF format.

English: http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?w=r&x=91637

Español: http://www.genderit.org/en/index.shtml?w=r&x=91632

François: http://www.awid.org/publications/OccasionalPapers/spotlight6_fr.pdf

ABOUT THE APC WNSP

The Association for Progressive Communications Women’s Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) supports the networking of women to promote social change and women’s empowerment through the use of ICTs. The APC WNSP network consists of over 150 women from 38 countries. Over three-quarters of the members are active in regional WNSP networks located in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America.

APC WNSP: http://www.apcwomen.org

The APC WNSP is a programme of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC). APC is an international network of civil society organizations dedicated to empowering and supporting groups and individuals working for peace, human rights, development and protection of the environment through the strategic use of ICTs, including the Internet. APC: http://www.apc.org