2011 marked the beginning of GAATW’s 2011-2013 activity cycle. During this year, we began many of our programmes outlined in our multi-annual proposal.
Our 2011-2013 plans focus on creating and increasing spaces for civil society to influence global anti-trafficking efforts. This includes: (1) calling for accountability in anti- trafficking through the creation of an inclusive and transparent review mechanism to UNTOC, researching monitoring and evaluation methods in anti-trafficking; (2) strengthening women’s power in migration and labour processes through our work on labour exploitation, smuggling, and the impact of demand discourses on sex workers; (3) engaging with UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies as a strategy for Members to access justice (e.g. capacity-building, compiling cases); and (4) ongoing communications work to produce and disseminate information within the Alliance and the broader anti-trafficking sector.
Instead of convening regional members meetings or global thematic meetings, IS staff spent more time working with members in specific countries. This resulted in some really good research publications that have now been disseminated widely. The round table we held on smuggling resulted in the UNOHCHR getting interested in the issue and a joint expert consultation in Geneva is being discussed. This new strategy of working closely with members and allies in their home country provided the IS with the much needed on-the ground knowledge and understanding.