When designing a health project, what are some risks for labor and sex trafficking one should consider, and how can those risks be mitigated against? Would appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks.
Hello @lmessner , there are many factors that could be considered but The first question would be, what kind of health project are you intending to implement, Is it targeting labor & sex trafficking in emergency contexts? or is it looking at people who are migrating from one country to another in search of greener pastures? The objectives of the health project need to be defined first, that would make it easier to attribute the relevant risks.
1 Like
Hi @brian2023 thank you for your reply. The project is a health systems strengthening project, not TIP-specific, so want to consider what TIP risks may exist. Could be labor recruiting, for example.
One aspect to consider is the rules and regs that exist in the project area. For example, do the police and prosecutors do when a trafficked person is discovered? Who bears the consequence of the legal action–is it the trafficker or trafficked person or both. Does the program or research activity expose the trafficked person to more vulnerability? One way of mitigating risk is to bring on board the list of stakeholders (local, district, state, region or whichever level is appropriate) so that they are aware of the proposed project/research activity and to get their buy-in. Provision of forms of support–psychological, social, economic to trafficked individuals.
2 Likes
Good advice Saumya. It is critical to engage the existing systems and work within them. I have been working in anti-trafficking in South Africa and building relationships with government and civil society organizations that do the day in and day out work to combat trafficking is essential.
1 Like