Principles

No More Delays, Free Mary Jane Now!

The Network for the Protection of Women Migrant Rights (NPWMR) - in which GAATW is a part of - released a statement calling on all women migrant leaders, women’s rights leaders, and human rights defenders to join us in solidarity in the struggle for Mary Jane Veloso’s freedom and ensure that truth and justice prevail.

April 25th 2025 marks 15 years since Mary Jane Veloso’s arrest in Yogyakarta, Indonesia where she was sentenced to death for unwittingly smuggling drugs to Indonesia. Last December 2024, she was transferred back to the Philippines after a practical agreement signed between the Indonesian and the Philippine governments for a transfer of prisoners based on diplomacy, international cooperation and legal sovereignty. Upon transfer to the Philippines, according to the Agreement, she will continue serving her sentence in alignment with Philippine law and procedures. However, Indonesia would respect any decision made by the Philippines after Veloso returned to her country, including the possibility of clemency. Now, four months have passed since her repatriation and Mary Jane still continues to serve in the Philippines' prison without any certainty if she will ever receive any justice.

No More Delays, Free Mary Jane Now!

The Network for the Protection of Women Migrant Rights (NPWMR) - in which GAATW is a part of - released a statement calling on all women migrant leaders, women’s rights leaders, and human rights defenders to join us in solidarity in the struggle for Mary Jane Veloso’s freedom and ensure that truth and justice prevail.

April 25th 2025 marks 15 years since Mary Jane Veloso’s arrest in Yogyakarta, Indonesia where she was sentenced to death for unwittingly smuggling drugs to Indonesia. Last December 2024, she was transferred back to the Philippines after a practical agreement signed between the Indonesian and the Philippine governments for a transfer of prisoners based on diplomacy, international cooperation and legal sovereignty. Upon transfer to the Philippines, according to the Agreement, she will continue serving her sentence in alignment with Philippine law and procedures. However, Indonesia would respect any decision made by the Philippines after Veloso returned to her country, including the possibility of clemency. Now, four months have passed since her repatriation and Mary Jane still continues to serve in the Philippines' prison without any certainty if she will ever receive any justice.

Reframing Narratives: Anti-trafficking from the ground up

We are excited to introduce our new publication, Reframing Narratives: Anti-trafficking from the ground up, an annual publication by GAATW members. The series offers a unique GAATW perspective on emerging anti-trafficking issues, focussing on the experiences and efforts of members and allies rather than ranking responses or estimating case numbers. It aims to foster dialogue across global movements, connecting those in fields such as migration, women’s rights, labour organising, climate change, corporate accountability, and conflict with anti-trafficking work.

Our inaugural issue, (In)formal Pathways to Justice, examines the mechanisms that influence migrant and trafficked individuals' access to justice, highlighting both formal and informal avenues. It emphasises the protections provided by formal justice systems for exploited migrant women while acknowledging that many seek alternative paths for redress and safety. The issue focuses on the experiences of practitioners working on behalf of migrant women, exploring their motivations and outcomes. Overall, it prioritises the perspectives of migrant women and their many (in)formal pathways to justice.

Reframing Narratives: Anti-trafficking from the ground up

We are excited to introduce our new publication, Reframing Narratives: Anti-trafficking from the ground up, an annual publication by GAATW members. The series offers a unique GAATW perspective on emerging anti-trafficking issues, focussing on the experiences and efforts of members and allies rather than ranking responses or estimating case numbers. It aims to foster dialogue across global movements, connecting those in fields such as migration, women’s rights, labour organising, climate change, corporate accountability, and conflict with anti-trafficking work.

Our inaugural issue, (In)formal Pathways to Justice, examines the mechanisms that influence migrant and trafficked individuals' access to justice, highlighting both formal and informal avenues. It emphasises the protections provided by formal justice systems for exploited migrant women while acknowledging that many seek alternative paths for redress and safety. The issue focuses on the experiences of practitioners working on behalf of migrant women, exploring their motivations and outcomes. Overall, it prioritises the perspectives of migrant women and their many (in)formal pathways to justice.

"Do you have a boyfriend here?”: Exploring the Impact of Stereotypes and Prejudices in Decision-Making on Access to Justice for Migrant Women

Over the past two decades, GAATW has consistently explored issues related to access to justice for migrant and trafficked women who have struggled with judicial processes due to discriminatory practices that prevent them from claiming their rights. This new report highlights the stereotypes and prejudices of decision-makers that continue to affect the ability of migrant women to access justice.

Drawing on insights from a range of previous work including consultations with women migrant workers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, this report explores the subjectivity of decision-makers — from officials to non-traditional spokespersons. The key findings highlight that stereotypes related to migrant women’s backgrounds, work, and personal choices directly impact their access to justice.

"Do you have a boyfriend here?”: Exploring the Impact of Stereotypes and Prejudices in Decision-Making on Access to Justice for Migrant Women

Over the past two decades, GAATW has consistently explored issues related to access to justice for migrant and trafficked women who have struggled with judicial processes due to discriminatory practices that prevent them from claiming their rights. This new report highlights the stereotypes and prejudices of decision-makers that continue to affect the ability of migrant women to access justice.

Drawing on insights from a range of previous work including consultations with women migrant workers across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, this report explores the subjectivity of decision-makers — from officials to non-traditional spokespersons. The key findings highlight that stereotypes related to migrant women’s backgrounds, work, and personal choices directly impact their access to justice.

The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) is a network of non-governmental organisations from all regions of the world, who share a deep concern for the women, children and men whose human rights have been violated by the criminal practice of human trafficking.

GAATW is committed to work for changes in the political, economic, social and legal systems and structures which contribute to the persistence of trafficking in persons and other human rights violations in the context of migratory movements for diverse purposes, including security of labour and livelihood. In particular, GAATW addresses the diverse issues arising from the trafficking in persons as currently defined in the Palermo Protocol. Within this framework, it addresses the core aspects of trafficking in persons: forced labour and services in all sectors of the formal and informal economy as well as the public and private organisation of work. Furthermore, GAATW promotes and defends the rights and safety of all migrants and their families against the threats of an increasingly globalised and informal labour market.

Meet the Team Strategic Thematic Directions Annual Reports

get involved GAATW applies a Human Rights Based Approach to address trafficking issues, which means:

Centring the human rights of trafficked persons and those in vulnerable situations, in all anti-trafficking activities
Acknowledging the equality of all persons to exercise, defend and promote their inherent, universal and indivisible human rights
Non-discrimination on any grounds, including – singly or in combination - race, ethnicity, descent, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, gender, age, migrant status, national or social origin, birth or other status, or occupation (including work in the informal sectors such as domestic work, sex work, etc.)
Primacy of the principles of accountability, participation and inclusivity/ non-discrimination in working methodologies, and organisational structures and procedures. In this respect, self-representation and organisation of those directly affected by trafficking are strongly encouraged and supported.

GAATW supports the sharing of knowledge, working experiences and working methodologies amongst its members, in order to enhance the effectiveness of collective anti-trafficking activities.

GAATW welcomes co-operation with all organisations, agencies or persons who share its principles.

GAATW is organisationally independent and will refrain from any party political, governmental, commercial or religious affiliations. However, members are autonomous and free to enter into affiliations of their choice, as long as these are not contradictory to GAATW's Basic Principles.