According to the latest UNODC report, almost 75% of the detected victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are females, and 35 % of the victims trafficked for forced labour are also females, both women and girls. Women are victimized especially in mixed migration flows, as a consequence of debt bondage and isolation. During their journey and at destination they are often subjected to rape, violence, torture and sexual exploitation. However, they also show resilience and strength, which however are not always recognized as a potential for social inclusion. On the contrary, competent authorities are often guided by false stereotypes, and do not recognize a woman as a victim when she does not appear to be helpless and shows agency. I discussed the gender dimension of trafficking in persons and the link between trafficking and migration, in preparation for the upcoming CEDAW General Recommendation on Trafficking in Women and Girls in the Context of Global Migration, during a side-event organized by the Permanent Mission of Austria, together with Lithuania, Germany, UN Women and the CEDAW Committee in the context of HRC41.
