On 16 September, GAATW hosted the session “Responses to Trafficking to Scam Centres: Digital Accountability, Women’s Human Rights and the Role of the Private Sector” at the UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum in Bangkok. Facilitated by Daisy-May Carty Cowling (GAATW), the session brought together panelists Saijai Liangpunsakul from Stop Online Harm, Jaruwat Jinmonca from the Immanuel Foundation Thailand, as well as a person with lived experience of trafficking to scam centres, and Professor Tomoya Obokata, former UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery. Around 50 participants from civil society, government and the private sector took part in our workshop which was a fantastic turn out.

The session aimed to explore how trafficking to scam centres can be prevented and addressed, with a focus on digital accountability, survivor protection, women’s human rights and the responsibilities of governments and the private tech sector. Through conversations with our panelists we went through a 3 part scenario-based discussion of a woman who is trafficked to a scam centre after answering an online advertisement. We then invited the audience to share their perspectives. Participants and panelists explored the role of technology platforms, financial institutions, governments and civil society in identifying risks and preventing harm.

Please see a report we prepared of the session which includes key themes that emerged from the discussion and areas we have identified for collaboration. We are excited to continue this work !