Networking Potentials & Strategies To Stop Trafficking on Women & Children

1. Networking Potentials & Strategies To Stop Trafficking on Women & Children Presented by Amna Abd El-Rahman Hassan

2. Introduction • Historically, the concepts of Networks & Networking were used in the field of the electronic engineering sciences first and then it was adopted by the social sciences. In fact, there is a difference between the two fields. Firstly, network will be the physical set up then the networking follows.

3. Introduction continued • But in the social sciences, the networking emerges first and as a result the network will be established, i.e. it emerges from the interaction between the individuals, groups of people or organisations.

4. The Concept of Networking • It is the creation of relationships in an informal pattern between people, organisations or institutions that have a common concern and they work collectively on a voluntary basis to reach the goal through the utilisation of a number of mechanisms. • Networking is also a tool for creating relationships amongst partners for sharing the resources and exchanging the information on the issues concerned in order to work collectively for bringing community change, as it becomes an important element in organising communities.

5. Networking definitions • A power that comes from a spirit of giving and sharing. • A willingness to honour ourselves, relationships and connections with the universal flow. • A way of sending out into the system what we have and what we know and having it return to re-calculate continually through the network. • An organised way of creating links between people we know for specific purposes. • Fostering self-help and exchange of information, seeking to change society and working life to share resources.

6. Communication & Networking • Communication & Networking go together. A “network” is a working with, maintaining and using contacts. Therefore, it is important that it is clear in internal and external communications.

7. 12 Steps in trust and confidence building for networking and co-operation • Create a neutral meeting point(s) including a neutral facilitator if needed. • Get to know each other better through sharing expectations, hopes, strengths, opportunities, fears and threats. • Establish common objectives and define the aim of co-operation. Agree on what is included in the co-operation and what is not included. • Be open, transparent and honest (no hidden agendas or short cuts), building on mutual respect and tolerance.

8. 12 steps in trust and confidence building for networking and co-operation (page 2) • Take joint ownership of the process. • Create internal channels of communication and consultation and filter this down to all levels (internal process). • Be willing to contribute resources to a common cause. • Create space for negotiations and be ready and willing to build consensus and make compromises when needed.

9. 12 steps in trust and confidence building for networking and co-operation (page 3) • Develop a strategy/plan of action and implementation mechanism (including a timeline and responsibilities). Take the time needed to make sure there is no room for misunderstanding or misinterpretation of any agreement reached upon. • Develop a joint structure. • Implement dispute resolution mechanisms, using an honest broker when a dispute arises. • Create a win-win situation for all partners.

10. Strategies • Political will and political priority are necessary for fighting against human trafficking. • Protection of women and children from sexual and labour exploitation must be given the utmost attention by governments, civil society and private sectors. • Development of a penal legislation, law enforcement, judicial co-operation, and provision of prevention and protection institutions to care for the victim is essential. • They must address the recruiters, transporters, exploiters, other intermediates and the clients.

11. Strategies (page 2) • National and International social authorities, the judiciary, law enforcement and migration must use the best approach for preventing and fighting trafficking of women and children. • The national criminal legislation laws must be revised and gaps in laws should be filled with regards to trafficking and violence against vulnerable groups. • Governments and public authorities should support NGOs that fight against human trafficking.

12. Strategies (page 3) • Raise awareness on provision of legal and medical (deep physical and psychological trauma) aids that support victims and warn women of the dangers of trafficking. • Address the social issues that motivate people to accept jobs proposed to them in Western countries or anywhere else that provides false hope of a brighter future. • Employment policies for labour market should be revised in all countries.

13. Strategies (page 4) • Rehabilitation centers must protect the victims and provide medical, social and psychological care and provide legal assistance, education, job training. They should and help in repatriating victims to their home regions or countries. • Address the gaps in current anti-trafficking programmes. • Address unemployment and poverty at the roots of trafficking in the candidate countries. • Reinforce co-operation with governments and NGOs in countries of origin, transit and destination.

14. Strategies (page 5) • Advocate the UN protocol on trafficking of women and children, which suppresses trafficking in person and facilitates international co-operation against it. • Activate all sources of media for dissemination of awareness raising campaigns and shape the public’s image on the subject from all its dimensions. • Document of victims’ testimonies. • Governments should lead advocacy against human abduction and trafficking issues.

15. Strategies (page 6) • Research and data collection for knowing the number of victims in any country should be a priority. • Availability of support to finance projects to combat trafficking in the target countries (organised crime). • Address discrimination and gender equality in both destination countries and countries of origin. • Improve the overall situation of women in the labour markets.

16. Strategies (page 7) • Identify various types of trafficking for women and children. • Advocacy efforts should be directed to religious leaders, legislators and local opinion leaders. • During wars and conflict situations, documentation on investigation on children and women trafficking should be considered. Human rights organisations and communities’ attention should be drawn towards the fight against violence against women and children.

17. Strategies (page 8) • Capacity building of all stakeholders should be enhanced to meet the complexity of the issues (constant development and improvement of capacities on community mobilisations, links between authorities, international community, local communities and NGOs etc.). • Address local prevention through public education targeting youths, families, schools, military, judiciary, health workers, locals and international police on strategies to create enforceable laws to stop trafficking and compassionately respond to victims.

18. Strategies (page 9) • Specific indicators to measure success should be developed in consultation with local leaders and experts on the issues (measure increases in effectiveness and sustainability of local groups’ efforts to stop the issue, and examine the impact of advocacy and public awareness raising campaigns).

19. Conclusion • Last but not least, trafficking is a world wide problem. It happens in all communities all over the world. Together we can stop it for the improvement of the women’s and children rights, dignity and status all over the world.

20. References • www.zonta.org • www.ahavakids.org/about-trafficking.tm • http://getslightlyfamous.typepad.com2005/10 ex • www.united-non.profit.nl/pages/infor10.htm • http://ec.europa.eu/justice-home/news/8mars.en • www.leadershipturn.com/concept of.htm