We at the International Secretariat of Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) join our members, partners, and friends around the world to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). We are inspired by the resilience and dedication of our colleagues who do not give up despite the old and new challenges.
This year's theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” highlights the progress made in challenging the norms, policies, and systems that sustain inequality and harm. It also serves as a sobering reminder that we have a long way to go. There are still many policies and practices that jeopardise the progress that was made after long years of struggle and new challenges are coming up daily.
The Latin American and Caribbean Network (REDLAC) of the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women is made up of 14 civil society organisations operating from nine countries in the region. Its areas of work include prevention and direct assistance to victims of trafficking, addressing the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, defending the human rights of migrant women and sex workers, and the labour rights of workers in different sectors. As a whole, REDLAC carries out information campaigns and participates in political advocacy actions at the national and regional levels.
The current socio-political context in which organisations operate is highly complex and multifaceted, characterised by institutional crises, social inequalities and the growing influence of organised crime – all of which have a direct impact on the lives of millions of people. The region continues to face structural challenges, such as corruption, violence and economic instability, exacerbating social vulnerabilities in countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. With frequent changes of government, these countries have faced acute political instability that has eroded democratic institutions and led to a decline in human rights and civil liberties.
The weakness of state institutions has allowed non-state actors such as criminal organisations to exercise significant control over territories and populations, leading to an erosion of trust in governments and facilitating the expansion of illicit activities, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Migration is one of the most visible consequences of this crisis. Violence, poverty, natural disasters and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have amplified existing vulnerabilities and posed serious challenges to the stability and development of the affected countries.
This report focuses on the challenges that REDLAC faces in this dynamic regional panorama and the responses that the various organisations have implemented to overcome them, both at the organisational level and within the framework of the network.
This report presents two joint submissions prepared for the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), highlighting the human rights challenges faced by migrant domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.
Part 1 is a joint submission by the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW) and our member Sema Nami. This section addresses the discrimination and challenges migrant workers face under the kafala system, the exclusion of domestic workers from recent labour reforms, and the introduction of a new domestic worker law. It offers recommendations to end nationality-based discrimination, abolish restrictive exit permit laws, and provide interpreters and legal aid, among others.
Part 2 is a joint submission by our member Tarangini Foundation and GAATW, focusing on similar issues and reinforcing the call for comprehensive reform. Key recommendations include the inclusion of domestic workers in labour law, establishing a fair minimum wage, enforcing prohibitions on passport confiscation and recruitment fees, and strengthening support systems for migrant workers.
Read the full report here for detailed analysis and recommendations aimed at safeguarding the rights of migrant domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Mary Mugo from Sema Nami made her statement during the CEDAW Saudi Arabia session in Geneva. You can watch her intervention here at the 25 minutes 45 seconds mark.
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 an Alliance of more than 100 non-governmental organisations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and North America. GAATW views human trafficking within the context of labour migration.
This EU Anti-Trafficking Day, GAATW is concluding its International Members Congress and Conference (IMCC) in Bangkok, Thailand which brings together member organisations and allies from labour, sex work, trafficking survivors, migrant and women’s rights groups from every region of the world. We are also celebrating our 30th anniversary as an international alliance, reflecting on our history and looking forward to the future. GAATW unites organisations spanning direct support, organising, knowledge building, and influencing social change touching anti-trafficking, migrant rights, and labour rights.
First, we join many in the anti-trafficking world to express our deep sadness at the news this week of the death of our dear friend and colleague, Dr Helga Konrad, who led pioneering, consistently challenging and fearless work on human trafficking spanning more than 25 years. Helga whose work included serving as the OSCE’s first Special Representative on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings from 2004-06, was a long-time ally of our Alliance and will be greatly missed.
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The Latin American and Caribbean Network (REDLAC) of the Global Alliance Against Trafficking in Women is made up of 14 civil society organisations operating from nine countries in the region. Its areas of work include prevention and direct assistance to victims of trafficking, addressing the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, defending the human rights of migrant women and sex workers, and the labour rights of workers in different sectors. As a whole, REDLAC carries out information campaigns and participates in political advocacy actions at the national and regional levels.