Families who are poor, unemployed, or underemployed are always vulnerable and eager to seize any opportunity that offers a better future. Numerous men, women, and children from impoverished areas of Southeast Asia have been victims of human trafficking after being lured in with promises of high-paying work. Once they accept, they become traded commodities in many parts of the world. In addition, sex trafficking has been fueled in many South-east Asian countries by insufficient women's rights. Due to a lack of birth certificates and other important legal documents, such people are vulnerable to deception and eventually become victims of human trafficking. For instance, many women in Cambodia and Indonesia are not issued with legal certificates, an aspect which results in an inability to get legal employment or secure the few job opportunities available; such women are therefore not able to provide for both themselves and their families. Additionally, the absence of effective prevention programs against such activities leaves many people unaware of the dangers and schemes created by most traffickers. Poverty is the main reason for sex trafficking; poor people cannot afford education, and consequently miss the good paying jobs to provide for themselves and their family. As a result, such people become desperate and vulnerable falling victims of human trade in search of better conditions. Formal education for children starting from preschool to the university, and informal teaching of productive skills and training programs to adults are excellent education programs; if incorporated in Southeast Asia, will substantially reduce and eventually eliminate sex trafficking. Moreover, the establishment of strict policies and prevention programs against sex trafficking will enhance elimination of such activities in Southeast Asia
While most people claim that slavery has been long abolished, in some parts of the world, it is a thriving industry which brings large revenue and profits. Poverty plays the most significant role in the growing and success of sex trafficking in most countries in Southeast Asia. A family who is desperately poor has no hope for tomorrow and owes debt is usually the target group for most traffickers. If a person offers a well-paying job when one is in such dire circumstances, you quickly seize the opportunity with both hands without conducting a thorough analysis of the job being offered (Samarasinghe 77). However, once the recruited people reach their destination, the true story is revealed and the well-paying job promised becomes nothing but a dream. These people are forced into such situations because of their poor conditions and lack of education. Provision of education to such people will ensure that they can secure good jobs which eliminate the desperation that comes with lack of employment (Cathy, Gloria, and Northam 180). Moreover, if the government provided all required documents to women, that would give them a chance to seek legal jobs and be able to sustain themselves. As a result, people of Southeast Asia
Often, human trafficking involves women and young girls being traded for sexual acitivities, although in the contemporary society, slavery encompasses both genders. As mentioned above, women in Southeast Asia do not access legal certificates at some point in their lives. They are therefore unable to secure available jobs that require legal documents which leave them vulnerable and desperate. In addition, the subordination of women in most Southeast Asia has resulted from few resources available and a broken civil society which disregard women (Bernard 84). There are also belief systems in the community that are passed from generation to generation depicting women as inferior or the lesser beings compared to their male counterparts. As a result, many such women in these countries are left without other options for employment hence involve in sex trafficking. Also, most of these women have no primary education as they do not even know how to speak English. Such people have no knowledge on how to protect themselves or even get out of such situations. For traffickers, these are the easy targets which help them increase their business revenue. Lack of access to education has further strengthened this case as the victims succumb to what they learn as accepted standards in the society.
To successfully end sex trafficking, women need to be empowered through education and training so as to provide them with knowledge on how to avoid becoming victims of human trade and teach them how to identify victims of sex trafficking. Additionally, survivors of human trade should be equipped with productive skills that will ensure they can earn income and depend on themselves and prevent them from becoming victims again. This will make sure that they have a voice and a choice to their lives, which will in turn end exploitation and slavery they face due to illiteracy and poverty. Citizens of these countries in Southeast Asia will become economically empowered with different ways to generate income and support themselves and their families. Consequently, the vulnerabilities that expose such people to abuse in sex trade and exploitation will be avoided and eliminated (Countryman, Karen, and Brien 529). The governments of these countries should also concentrate more on investing in women’s employment through entrepreneurship and skill training to encourage them to take part as agents of change and also promote economic growth. Non-profit organizations and corporates should also support projects aimed at improving the lives of people through various activities like education, training among others. This will provide hope for a better future and create an impactful generation free from oppression and human trafficking.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand and Cambodia are the leading countries where human trafficking is most rampant. Although there are anti-trafficking measures established by these governments, these countries remain a source, destination, and transit for many victims of human trafficking. Moreover, in a country like Thailand, the sex industry is glorified where tourists from various parts of the world visit to involve in illegal sexual activities (Emmers, Ralf, Greener, and Nicholas 598). This has increased the demand for workers for the traffickers who are willing to take extreme measures to ensure they serve a large number of customers. However, it is important to recognize that while there is the possibility of any person becoming victims of human trade, the poor and unemployed people are the most susceptible to such situations. Mainly because these people only want economic advancement and are willing to take up the available opportunity without questioning the credibility of such jobs (Farquet, Romaine, Heikki, and Frank 333). Therefore, governments should focus on providing education, from the primary to higher institutions; this will make sure that people acquire qualifications that will help them get good jobs and avoid human trafficking.
While encouraging women to pursue their dream and get good paying jobs, it is of the essence to provide basic skills and training to women. This will increase their knowledge level and support them to avoid trafficking and to be able to secure legal jobs in destination countries. Also, strategies should be set to motivate children to pursue education and stay in school instead of the current situation where young people are compelled to migrate to various countries for work at the expense of education (Ford, Michele, Lenore, and Willem 374). Even for those people willing to work in different destinations, they will be equipped with the adequate knowledge to help them prevent such scenarios of human trafficking. Also, more focus should be targeted for the reason why people fall for human trade. What are the pressures that push such people to agree to migrate even with the rising concern about human trafficking? From there, it will be easier to come up with solutions that will counter the causes of vulnerability to human trafficking. It should be noted that closing down migration routes do not serve as solutions to human trade; governments and funders should instead consider approaches that address the factors that push people to want to migrate in the first place (Lindquist 525).
Many governments of countries from Southeast Asia have initiated anti-trafficking measures and issued bans on age limits allowed in various countries. However, it is evident that human trafficking continues to thrive even in the presence of such laws. This is a clear indication that the governments have focused on irrelevant factors to address this problem, it is therefore upon the government to change plans and consider implementing more efficient methods that will eradicate the problem of human trade (Piper 223). The most effective solution is education as it will equip individuals with required qualifications to secure well-paying jobs. As such, these people will not fall, victims of human trafficking, as they will be able to provide for themselves and their families adequately. The main reason why people will get into such compromising situation is poverty. Poverty is further worsened by lack of education since without the required qualifications, even with the availability of jobs, such people cannot get jobs (Yen 682). Therefore, education is the key to eliminating human trafficking; both for sexual activities and provision of labor.
Many organizations have been created to rescue victims of sex trafficking in different parts of countries in Southeast Asia. For instance, NGOs like COSA, Destiny Rescue and Daughters of Cambodia are all dedicated to saving the victims of sex trafficking (Pierce 44). However, these organizations claim that sex trade will continue to thrive if the cultural norms and mentality in the society remains the same. As such, there is a call for strengthening the importance of education in the life of individuals as it will help them have a better future. Consequently, if the young generation stays in school and pursues education, they will most likely not be prone to the desperation of poverty and hopelessness. More educated people and families are in a better position to discern on the credibility and legitimacy of the jobs offered by many traffickers. This is not the case of the poor, uneducated people who do not understand the documents presented to them in the name of good jobs by people who intend to turn them into tradable commodities once they sign the contract. This is the main reason why supporting education will serve as the solution to eliminating sex trafficking in Southeast Asia.
Knowledge acquired through training will increase the awareness among potential victims of human trafficking. Also, training to the general public will also significantly influence the reduction of sex trafficking (Spires 5). Through outreach programs, the society can be provided with necessary information regarding sex trade, and in-depth training for professionals to identify the victims and obstacles to identification. Having adequate information, being acutely aware of sex trafficking and be willing to take appropriate actions will make a huge difference in this industry. In many scenarios, different community members are ready to help end sex trafficking, but do not have the necessary resources and tools; this includes knowledge regarding legal rights entitled to such victims. Through various outreach staff, volunteers and interns, education can be spread to the people in Southeast Asia and help make a difference.
The issue of human trafficking can also be incorporated into the school curricula to be taught extensively as a course and to be taken by all students in the Southeast Asia; this will provide a long-term solution. The curriculum can include the various types of human trafficking, methods of prevention and resources available to fight this form of trade (McCauley, Heather, Michele, and Jay 266). Awareness achieved through such generations in school will induce systematic change by creating an enlightened society. Young people should also be educated on human rights issues that affect their community and families; such empowerment will push such people to do something about it. Private organizations and corporates should also play a role in sponsoring events aimed at raising awareness and addressing issues of human trafficking. Also, in schools, anti-human trafficking clubs and organizations should be formed to learn more about signs of potential victims and different types of trafficking (Sandy 226). Such clubs can also create PowerPoint presentations and educational materials to be distributed to the school fraternity. Educated people can know how to get involved and help to end human trafficking in Southeast Asia.
However, on the other hand, critics argue that education is not a priority in ending sex trafficking in Southeast Asia. According to them, it takes more than education to prevent and stop human trafficking. The governments of countries in Southeast Asia should concentrate on holistic approaches that will restore the entire community (Jeffries 261). The holistic approach allows intervention in all levels, that is, from children to adult with the aim of providing better conditions for all. For children, they should be made aware of these vices and students should be taught on preventive measures in schools. On the other hand, basic needs should be made affordable so that even those from disadvantaged families can afford them. Moreover, the government should create more jobs to eliminate joblessness and vulnerabilities among its citizens. Mainly because each factor contributes significantly to sex trafficking and addressing one element at the expense of others will not be the complete solution.
Second, victims of sex trade fail to report to the authorities due to the fact that the laws surrounding sexual services affect both individuals. This implies that victims of sex trafficking will be arrested in the process of reporting a crime which is against the protection law. Therefore, even if we educate the public and create awareness, the current laws available do not promote the same agenda (Mameli 72). We must establish legislation that collectively builds a partnership among all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking.
In response to the argument posed by the critics, education lies at the heart of all the recommended solutions. Empowered people are more enlightened to make better policies, to formulate measures that will promote economic growth and set strategies that will effectively address the problems facing the potential victims of human trafficking (Hoang, Kimberly, and Rhacel 120). While education is not the only solution to dealing with human trade, it plays the most significant role in eliminating it. Also, for families to acquire jobs that will enable them to provide the basic needs, they require qualifications which are achieved through education. Moreover, the bigger and the lasting solution in creating future generations with a changed system and aware of many alternatives they can explore in order to meet their needs and those of their families instead of turning to sex trafficking (Rivers, Robert, and Elizabeth 164). Although this does not mean that all focus should be put on education, the argument is intended to emphasize the significance of education in preventing and ending sex trafficking.
There are recommendations that should be considered to ensure the success of education in ending human trafficking. Despite the existence of law enforcement and anti-trafficking advocates, combating human trade has proved to be a complex humanitarian issue. The governments should consider establishing national strategies that will increase the efficiency of education. The plans include providing educational materials in different translations to ensure every person get a chance to read the materials. Also, current laws should be adjusted to make sure that victims of the sex trade are not arrested in the process of reporting these cases (Rafferty 560). As a result, people will be more willing to report human trafficking incidences as they will be protected by law. Additionally, more research should be conducted to innovate more efficient technological methods that will help combat human trafficking. Understanding the role of technology in the sale, advertising and purchase of trafficking victims will enable the government to come up with better measures to deal with the issue. Eventually, an educated society with detailed information on human trafficking will be in a better position to end sex trade.
In conclusion, Southeast Asian countries remain thriving environments of human trafficking in the contemporary society. Combating human trafficking in these countries require the establishment of effective preventative measures and strategies. This will ensure identification and intervention to save victims of this form of trade. Lack of education and awareness of the public has been one of the greatest barriers to preventing commercial sexual exploitation. Therefore, the development of events and public awareness campaigns will help address this problem. Although there are many challenges encountered in the fight against sex trade, it is a goal that should be embraced not only by the governments but by every individual in these countries. Collaboration among many stakeholders will enhance the success of fighting against sex exploitation. Victims rescued from this crime should also be put under intensive training and education to empower them and ensure they do not fall back to victimizations.
Although there are laws that prohibit human trafficking, the governments in these countries should establish stricter legislation that will heavily punish traffickers. People should also be educated on their human rights to help them feel more secure about coming out as victims of sex trafficking as they will be protected by the law. Also, more resources should be allocated to programs aimed at identifying and rescuing victims of the sex trade to improve their performance. As a result, the various organizations will be able to reach out to more victims and provide programs that will improve the lives of these victims after being rescued. In all these situations, education serves as the leading solution while other strategies enhance the success of the fight against human trafficking. Once the governments of the different countries in Southeast Asia, where the sex trade is rampant accord more relevance to education, human trafficking will be successfully eradicated.
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