Overview
While there are many short term solutions that are necessary to put in place (as soon as possible) to help survivors and fight the sex trafficking business as much as possible, the only way to really end it is through long term political and cultural shifts. The roots of sex trafficking are found in the demand that comes from atrociously deviant people all around the world; unfortunately, there is not much that can be done about those that create the demand for sex trafficking, and the truth is that there might be no way to eradicate the existence of those people, even over time. So, the international community must tackle the underlying factors that allow this industry to exist: poverty, weak institutions, and sexism as the main ones. The way these factors lead to trafficking has been addressed on a previous page, so the focus of this one is to discuss how to challenge and change these factors in the long term. Before discussing this topic it is important to note that this approach is not meant to imply that all aspects of culture or society in Southeast Asia that differ from the Western World are “wrong” or “backward,” because that is not at all the case. The world should respect and value cultures of all kinds. However, there must also be a standard of universal human rights, that no culture is allowed to surpass because of history or tradition or belief system. It is this standard of freedom and safety that we are discussing trying to uphold in the Southeast Asian region. Additionally it should be noted that not all women in Southeast Asian countries experience the same level or type of “sexism;” each woman in each country of this region has a different story, and most solutions to these problems must be adjusted and changed for the different regions in which it is being applied. This is only an attempt to address the issues that this region, as all regions of the world, have, using broader suggestions.
Economic development
Firstly, the poverty and lack of economic freedom of women is extremely difficult to solve, but the most effective methods according to recent analysis seem to be microfinancing to women, job training, and increased education. Microfinancing is a system of offering small, interest free loans or small interest loans, which allow the recipient to invest in a way that will help them make more money in the long run, such as getting themselves job training, a farm animal that will provide them with something to sell, etc (Microfinance in Asia). This is a good system to increase wealth in impoverished areas, and when targeted towards women, also helps increase their freedom, power, and value in society. Job training teaches important skills that allow for better job opportunities and sustained income, and again, when targeted towards women gives them opportunities that they might not otherwise have (Rafferty). Finally, increased education allows women to have more power and status in communities, and gives them the chance to hold higher positions in all fields, thus giving them more influence and helping to build generational wealth and fight against sexist ideologies of women being incompetent (Rafferty). Giving women more control of finances allows them to be independent, giving them freedom and security. It also decreases the chances that they would have to migrate to find an income, and thus decreases the chances that they fall victim to sex trafficking (Perry and McEwing).
improving governing systems
Secondly, law enforcement systems must be improved. Corrupt officials must be replaced at the higher levels, and held accountable and punished at the lower levels. International institutions should look into creating outside incentives or punishments for these countries if they are not able to prevent a certain number of forced illegal migrations or shut down a number of brothels (Lin). Police officers, politicians, and judges should be able to be trusted by women, children, and all victims of sex trafficking, to help them at every step in the process. International agencies should also look into creating a documentation system for sex trafficking victims in order to better understand the extent of the problem (the current numbers are vague, the world only knows that this is a large problem, but not how large, or the specifics of certain aspects of the global sex trade) (Caballero-Anthony). Along with this, countries in Southeast Asia must reform their citizen documentation system; part of the reason that victims can go missing very easily or cannot always be identified and returned to their families is that the record keeping of births, deaths, marriages, and migrations is very inconsistent (Perry and McEwing). These systems must be more regular and technologically advanced. With stronger governing bodies, less corrupt police and criminal justice systems, and better record keeping, the sex trafficking industry would greatly decrease in size.
fighting inequality
Lastly, the cultural and societal views of women must shift. This is the most difficult factor to change, and one that contributes to and emphasizes many of the other problems that lead to the sex trafficking industry. Because women and girls are not seen as a priority, they do not receive education or jobs or power to help them escape becoming victims, and they are not helped and listened to after they become victims. Women must be seen as equal to men; they must receive the same opportunities that men do. They have to be given economic and political power so that they can help improve the system and give a voice to all of the women that have suffered from sexual violence and mistreatment through their lives (Raffety). As mentioned, this is extremely difficult to achieve, because the reason why women are viewed in this way is a product of a long history of cultural and societal traditions; but if this does not change, then all of the other methods of ending the sex trafficking industry will be less effective (Perry and McEwing). Spreading awareness of mistreatment and empowerment to girls at a young age through campaigns, creating safe places for girls to receive higher education and vocational training, all of the economic methods mentioned above, training girls in self defense, and holding governments accountable for allowing women opportunities to gain political power are all ideas that could help change the sexism in these places (Caballero-Anthony). This will not be a short process; it will take sustained effort over a long time, but it is an effort that is worth making.
A video summary from UNICEF