Can the elimination of all forms discrimination against women be achieved without reducing the demand for the trafficking of women and girls?

This question and others were addressed at a panel on 17 July, 2008. UNANIMA International with the collaboration of two of the CEDAW experts, Dr. Anamah Tan (Singapore) and Ms. Saisuree Chutikul (Thailand) sponsored the panel primarily for CEDAW exports but open to others as well at the United Nations. The panel focused on the use of CEDAW to work towards ending the demand for trafficking in women and girls.

Ms. Saisuree Chutikul, CEDAW expert from Thailand, chats with NGO representatives at a reception during the recent session in New York.

 Louise Cleary, UI, moderated the panel and UI Coalition coordinator, Catherine Ferguson was the first speaker.

 Because we live in a world in which most, if not all of our cultures are permeated by patriarchy which privileges men over women rather than one which is based on principles of gender equality,  - hence why the need for a convention like that of CEDAW – the short answer to this question is NO.

 A Nigerian colleague who works with those being repatriated to Nigeria puts it well: “We have been working for many years to educate girls and families about the dangers of human trafficking.  We have been at the airport to receive many, many women victims who have been deported back to Nigeria after having been trafficked to Italy and other European countries.  We have only seen the numbers grow.  If we really want to do something about this problem we have to start working at the cause – we have to work to stop the demand.”

 Catherine was followed by Maureen Kitchur, MSW, from Calgary, Alberta. She approached the issue from a psychological perspective detailing aspects of the male psyche that could lead to male use of women in prostitution and pornography.  She also made suggestions as to actions CEDAW experts could take in their recommendations to government.  The final panelist was the Coordinator for the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, Norma Ramos, who developed means for incorporating demand into the fight against human Trafficking: an analysis of States’ parties obligations under CEDAW.

 The complete text of Catherine’s presentation can be found on www.unanima-international.org on the resources page.

 The presentation by Norma Ramos is being prepared for publication and will soon be found on the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women’s web site.

Action Needed:

UNANIMA International wants to become more active in working for the welfare of the planet.  We would like to set up an advisory committee to guide our work in affiliation with the United Nations and are seeking at least one person from each of our member congregations to be part of such a group.  The group will communicate primarily through email and Skype.  Please contact Catherine at fergcf@earthlink.net if you are interested or can suggest someone else who might be interested in assisting with this effort.

 Other Items of Note:

With much appreciation we thank Monique Thériault, snjm, who has translated the article by Susan Maloney, snjm, which offers a theological and ethical framework for UNANIMA’s work to stop the demand for trafficking of women and children.  This paper will be posted on the French page of UNANIMA web site  at http://www.unanima-international.org/french/resources.htm.

 22 July, 2008, Catherine and the Cabrini Sisters said farewell to Louise Cleary who returned to Ireland to continue work for the Brigidine. We are most grateful to the Brigidines and to Louise for all they have contributed to the work of UNANIMA this year.

The texts of the NGO reports prepared to be given at the CEDAW session this June on Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria and on Trafficking in Women in the United Kingdom can be found on the UNANIMA website at http://www.unanima-international.org/english/resources2.htm.

Carol Freeman (Churches against sex trafficking in Europe) and Sister Juliana Nwabuzo, SSL, (Nigeria) wait for Carol’s turn to make her presentation to the CEDAW experts.

  We encourage all to participate in the International Day of Peace on 21 September. For more information see http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/

 3-5 September, 2008, the 61^st Annual UN Department of Public Information Conference will be held in Paris, France, on the topic of Human Rights.  UNANIMA will have a delegation of ten Sisters from six congregations participating in the session.