Trafficking in Peru

            The issue of sex trafficking and sex slavery has been an underground horrific trend spreading across the world.  Trafficking and slavery is most commonly associated with impoverished areas, however it is present even in countries of a stable economy.  Peru, for example, began having matters concerning sex trafficking and slavery when their economy was on the upward turn. 

Saddened trafficking victims in Peru

            The make up of trafficking in Peru is described by The Guardian as, “[it] tends to involve a disproportionate number of indigenous girls and women – is concentrated in the south of the country in such areas as Cusco and Madre de Dios, which is home to thousand of illegal gold mines.”  Human trafficking in the U.S. is spoken about in a vague manner, where as from reading articles Peruvians are very aware of the different areas and people who are suffering from this tragedy.  With so much knowledge of what is going on it makes me wonder, is anyone doing anything to stop this?  Poor women and teenage girls are being used and traded like objects to satisfy power hungry people.  While it angers me to think that people speak about trafficking in calm terms, I know there are advocates everywhere.  The article stated that, “Although it’s a delicate subject, there are fortunately some ministries and other agencies who are working to combat it. [But] the government’s fund for fighting people trafficking is 0.00006% of the total budget allocation.”  With more government funding or proper documented changes trafficking of Peruvian women can have a better future.

Human trafficking routes in Peru

         

   The group that is advocating for an end to trafficking is the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.  This group, working on the Outcome Document, is fighting for an end.  The document specifically addresses eliminating human trafficking in goals five, eight, and sixteen.  Goal five combats trafficking through, by focusing to, “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” -- the drafters call for the end of trafficking of women and girls.”  Equality is step one when ratifying and legislation.  The acknowledgement of the equality and humanness of women in Peru, specifically, will help stop the objectification.  Goal eight speaks to ending trafficking by offering to, “Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.  The next step needed is to offer a means of survival.  Poverty can lead women and children to do whatever it takes to feed and clothe their families.  This goal added to the document offers a positive economic path.  Lastly, goal sixteen states to, “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”.  The final step to limit and end human trafficking is to create a welcoming society for all to live safely.

          

       All of the goals stated above will combat the end of human trafficking and, with high hopes, will give a promising future to Peruvian women and girls.  The ratification of human trafficking is an issue that all women and men should stand behind.  The promising future of many women lies in the hands of advocates and government officials.