****Trafficking of women and children cannot be stopped without understanding how capitalist patriarchy, the phenomenon of modernisation, concept of nation-state, militarisation, concept of development, growth model, etc., which are contributing to the increase in this trade.***

THE SAARC Heads of the States meeting Is going to be held In Male, Maldives from May 12 to 14, 1997. In this context, the women's and human rights groups of five of the SAARC countries — Bangladesh. India, Nepal. Pakistan and Sri Lanka — have urged upon the member-countries of the SAARC to take trafficking as a priority issue and put it on the agenda of the meeting in Maldives.

In December. 1996 during the SAARC Foreign Ministers meeting, these groups have already intervened by meeting all the SAARC Foreign Ministers and appraised them of the situation in the South Asian countries particularly in the five countries, mentioned above. Accordingly, they are carrying on the lobbying at national and regional levels. The groups who are now active on this issue are Asian Women's Human Rights Council (AWHRC). RESISTANCE and the South Asian Alliance against Trafficking (SAAT).

In Bangladesh the organisations involved are : UBINIG. Bangladesh Mohila Ainjibi Samity. Ain O Salish Kendra etc. It is expected that there will be some events in Male to lobby during the SAARC Heads of the State meeting itself. As a preparation for this, a round-table meeting on "Trafficking of Women and Children" is being held in Katmandu, organised by AWHRC in collaboration with various women's and human rights organisations of South Asian countries. A statement is being prepared for submission to tne SAARC Heads of the States during the summit.

While different organisations are working against trafficking at various levels, the regional level activities became more important in order to develop an effective mechanism to combat this violence against women and children. This issue was addressed in details at the South Asian workshop on "Trafficking in Women and Children : Formulating Strategies for Resistance" which was held in Tangail, Bangladesh

from October 9 to 10. 1996. This workshop was organised by UBINIG (Policy Research for Development Organisation). Participants from five South Asian countries such as India. Pakistan. Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh discussed this alarming situation and came up with accounts of their countryspecific situations. During the two days of intensive discussions and interactions among the journalists, lawyers, social activists and members of women's groups, concrete plans and strategies were formulated that was feasible for the group to undertake.

The participants in the workshop are actively involved in their respective countries in preventing and resisting trafficking as well as are directly working with the victims to help them legally and socially to return to their countries and homes.

It is now acknowledged by everybody that there is a significant increase in trafficking in women and children in all the countries of South Asia. The broad economic, social, political. religious and cultural conditions along with the globalisation process has significantly contributed to the process. As a broad scenario, trafficking of women and children cannot be stopped without understanding how capitalist patriarchy, the phenomenon of modernisation, concept of nation-state, militarisation, concept of development, growth model, etc., which are contributing to the increase in this trade. At the political level, there seems to be no commitment.

On the one hand, although lot of attention is being paid to the issue of trafficking these days, it is found that the language and attitude towards

women and children who are trafficked are not positive. On the other hand, the caste system and various religious manipulations in some parts of the region are also seen as a contributing factor to the phenomenon of trafficking. The status of women, the di >crimi-natory laws against wo jen and children, denial of property rights have created a condition of women to be seen as a burden to each of the family, thereby, leading to be more vulnerable as a prey to the flesh traders.

As the situation is very complicated, the SAARC meeting is very important wh< re we are expecting that certain regional and bilateral issues could be raised to eradicate tils criminal trdde from the region. South Asia must not demonstrate itself as an unprotected area for human flesh trade. On the basis of the discussion at the workshop held in October last, it may be useful to indicate some key issues which must be emphasised and kept in mind before any meaningful strategies and actions against "trafficking’ are undertaken. These are:

a) Globally, trafficking of women and children today is more profitable and horrendous than that of arms or drugs smuggling. It is criminal act and is taking place in the countries of South Asia at an increasing rate. Our women and children are not safe, they are now commodities to be sold. However, in order to explain the situation trafficking in women and children cannot be reduced simply to a matter of "criminal’ incidents. It is directly related to the social and economic realities of the society and contributed mostly by the so-called "liberalisation" and "free market" economy. Disintregation of

the rural communities and the grim reality of the poor and the marginal people, mainly women and children, is one of main causes of trafficking. Globalisation has severed the traditional socio-economic relation and has made women and children vulnerable. They are increasingly becoming a commodity to be sold in the "world market". Without questioning the macro-economic policies of the government the Eroblem of trafficking cannot

e addressed adequately.

b) From law and order as well as from the legal point of view, it is important that "traffickers" remain to the centre of attention. At present, we only look at the "victims" of trafficking. Nevertheless, the layers of beneficiaries does not only include trafficking syndicates and organised crime-circle. The recruiting agencies, promoters, transport agencies, airlines, money changers, hotel owners and even the families gain from the massive trafficking of women and children.

c) The overall patriarchal relation and culture operating within the culture of greed and oppression in the era of "globalisation" have made women extremely vulnerable despite the rhetoric of women’s empowerment and the series of intellectualisations such, as GAD (Gender and Development), WID (Women in Development). WAD (Women and Development), etc. It is time to say that donors and development agencies do not address this issue enough when they talk about empowerment of women.

d) Trafficking is a question that raises a broader question of "migration", nationality and question of applicability of fundamental human rights to children and any individual.

irrespective of religion, race, class, gender, colour or nationality. It is not acceptable that trafficked women and children are ending up in jails and police custodies of alien countries as well as in their own country. Trafficking becomes more unbearable for a "victim" even after they are "rescued" by the law enforcing agency.

e) While "repatriation" and "rehabilitation" is extremely important and must be provided to the trafficked persons immediately, but no state should have the right to forcefully return a person who is not willing to return for various reasons. It must also be acknowledged that "repatriation" ■ and "rehabilitation” is extremely complex matter and so far all efforts in "repatriation" has ended up in bitter experiences by the persons who indeed wished to return home. Repatriation is not simply bringing a trafficked person back "home", if no home exists. If the so-called "home" or the society does not accept a trafficked girl. the social stigma becomes unbearable and equally coercive and painful for the person. We must leam to respect people and change our attitudes to "prostitution". It is crucial that we acknowledge the dignity of a human being and understand her survival strategies with respect.

f) Media representation of women reinforces the notion that women are sex objects for the gratification of men. The publication of the picture of women as "victim" also projects this notion implicitly or explicitly. Media must play its responsibility in this regard.

The above issues are pertinent towards the discussion of strategies to eradicate trafficking. We all seem to be committed in combating violence against women. Unfortunately, the discussions at the policy level are not enough to express their commitment against this heinous trade. If SAARC is really meant for regional cooperation, then commitment for actions against trafficking must be on the priority agenda of the Heads of the States meeting.