Reference no: EM133281452
Many international organizations argue for a gender-sensitive approach to policies on trafficking, but what does a gender-sensitive approach really mean? The following quotes present two very different interpretations.
Quote #1
"A gender-sensitive approach considers the different impacts of policies and programmes on men and women and empowers potential and actual victims to access information and remedies, and to claim their human rights in a gender specific manner. ...A gender-sensitive approach therefore also ensures that anti-trafficking strategies address gender-based discrimination and violence, promote gender equality and the realization of human rights [...]"
(Source: Amandine Scherrer and Helmut Werner (2016). Trafficking in Human Beings from a Gender Perspective Directive 2011/36/EU. European Implementation Assessment. EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service. April 2016.)
In other words, Quote #1 is suggesting that a "gender-sensitive approach" would create programs that would specifically focus on the situation of women who face particular types of discrimination and abuse (e.g. women are victims and need protecting).
Quote #2
"[Is a gender-sensitive perspective] an approach that distinguishes between women and men because their experiences of exploitation are intrinsically different? Or is a gender-sensitive approach one that perceives all trafficked persons as individuals whose rights have been abused because of their - individual or collective - vulnerabilities, understanding that gender may have been one of the reasons why an individual or a group has been exploited?"
(Source: ITUC/Anti-Slavery/CCME (2011). Trafficking for labour exploitation - gender. International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Anti-slavery, Churches' commission for migrants in Europe (CCME), p. 6.)
In other words, Quote #2 is suggesting that both women AND men can be victims of trafficking and exploitation. Programs should address exploited people with various factors that make them vulnerable (not only gender).
Discuss which of these two meanings do you think would be the best "gender-sensitive approach"? Globally women do suffer more violence and sexual abuse than men - so given that, is Quote #1 the way to go? Or is the more inclusive Quote #2 a better strategy for tackling global systems of exploitation? Let's hear what you think.