We are grateful to S. Clare Nolan RSG and S. Jean Schafer SDS for granting us permission to use Sr. Clare's article which appeared in the Vol. 1 No. 3 November 5, 2003 issue of  "Stop Trafficking." In gratitude: We also have permission to use the "Stop Trafficking" masthead with the permission of S. Jean Schafer. This is copyrighted material.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

"Analysis of Human Trafficking:
Between 'Awareness' and 'What to Do?' "

The 2001 call from USIG and LCWR/CMSM to focus on the issue of the trafficking of women has been taken seriously. Many congregations have increased awareness and education on the heinous issue of international trafficking for bondage and prostitution.

Additionally, mainstream channels of communication have picked up the issue. National Geographic Magazine did an article on 21^st Century Slaves in Sept '03; Public Broadcasting's Wide-Angle aired an hour on human trafficking, during the last week of September; and, in an address to the 58^th UN General Assembly (9-03), the US President spoke on the topic.

Still, the plaint is heard, "But what can we do?"

Action orientation notwithstanding, I believe that there is a strong need for critical social analysis concerning the issue of trafficking. Even welcomed media attention can belie a lack of resolute commitment to abolish trafficking. Why is there such a trend to pay attention to trafficking and why does the phenomena continue to grow? Trafficking does not happen in a vacuum. Without clear analysis and constant critique, grounded in a gospel reality yearning for justice, we may fail, in fact, to do the small actions in our daily spheres that could have an impact on combating human trafficking.

I think that it is necessary to place the SYSTEM of trafficking squarely within the systems of economic globalization and imbalanced patriarchy. By so doing, awareness and concern for trafficking is linked directly to everyday experiences.

It is no coincidence that the massive rise in trafficking has been concurrent with the phenomenal rate of economic globalization. Economic globalization supports liberal capitalistic consumerism, profit as goal, and views all things through the lens of trade commodities. Even wages and labor are now difficult to link relationally to the human person to which they are attached. Despite the unparalleled wealth generated through globalization, the number of poor persons in the world continues to grow, with women constituting over 70% of the population of poor persons.

Likewise, patriarchy is an inequitable system that pervades societies of the world. It so favors male privilege and dominance that it affords men the sexual prerogative to treat women as objects. Repeatedly, in various contexts, trafficking is condemned while prostitution is given a wink and a nod. But there is no stark line dividing prostitution from trafficking for sexual exploitation. They are points on a continuum of degradations and violation of women.

When such systemic associations fail to be made, we end up with a contradictory desire to end trafficking while supporting operant social systems. It then becomes easier for the US government to commit US $50,000,000 to rescue operations for victims of trafficking than to "connect the dots" between military use of prostitution and trafficking. It then is easy to denounce trafficking and make no reference to the rise in global poverty that makes women vulnerable to trafficking. For the second year in a row, poverty is increasing in our own country. Such a situation lays the groundwork for girls' susceptibility to prostitution as well as become vulnerable to trafficking, domestic or international.

And in our own realms, it is more popular - and easier - to condemn trafficking (as if so far away!) than it is to challenge someone we know, who may consider using women in prostitution. It is easier to condemn trafficking than to wage a local campaign to get rid of advertising that presents women as commodities. It is easier to passively accept our military systems that "protect us against terrorism" than to ask about their policies and behaviors regarding the exploitation of women.

So, before moving precipitously to the question "What can we do?" I encourage the question, "What are we doing?" that supports systems that underpin a depravity such as trafficking. Before tackling the evil of trafficking, resist the kind of economic global systems that impoverish women and children. Oppose boldly the ways in which men are allowed dominance over women. Dissociate yourself from the benefits of globalization and patriarchy. Then, let's deal together in more specific terms with the question, "What can we do that will put an end to trafficking?"

                                       -Clare Nolan, NGO Representative, Sisters of the Good Shepherd
                                        in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC, United Nations

Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking

The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking consists of national and international Catholic agencies working to eliminate the scourge of human trafficking.

The main purposes of this Coalition are to

formulate plans for combating trafficking and serving its victims;

promote development of services for trafficking victims and approaches to empowerment of
   trafficking victims;

dialogue with government officials and others engaged in public policies affecting this issue;

devise strategies for public education, awareness-raising and grass roots action.

If you would like more information about the
Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking, contact:

Mary Ellen Dougherty, SSND
tel: 202-541-3256
e-mail: MDougherty@usccb.org or srstvics@usccb.org