Growing political instability, conflict, and economic disparities have led to significant increases in irregular migration, including migrant smuggling. Migrant smuggling exposes already vulnerable persons to grave risks, including sexual and gender-based violence and sex trafficking.
Recommendations
Commit to including gender perspectives in any G7 discussion or commitment on migrant smuggling.
Ensure that border and other law enforcement officers are trained on gender perspectives of migrant smuggling to increase their ability to recognize and respond to the needs and vulnerabilities of women and girls in these settings.
Rationale
Smuggled migrant women and girls often face gender-based violence, ranging from inappropriate comments to outright sexual assault. Women and girls comprise most trafficking victims, and when captured or exploited by traffickers, are three times more likely than men to be subjected to physical or extreme violence. A greater understanding by border and other law enforcement officers of the gender perspectives of migrant smuggling will help protect women and girls from gender-based violence and other human rights violations and make investigations more effective.
