Pandemic situation has led to increased online trafficking of Women and Girls

Asa Regner, UN Women Deputy Executive Director pointed out increased online trafficking of women and girls triggered by the insecurity caused due to Covid-19 pandemic. Forced online pornography and sexual exploitation using webcams are increasing in number, she added. The vulnerability of women and girl children towards violence had intensified because of the restrictions in movement coupled with economic insecurity and lost livelihood.

"Reducing the demand for sexual exploitation requires challenging harmful masculinities and ideas of male entitlement to women's bodies, and here we can draw lessons from broader strategies to prevent violence against women" Asa Regner opinioned. Globally 7 per cent of trafficking victims are females among these 77 per cent are exposed for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration which pledged for the removal of systematic and structural barriers which are limiting women and girl children to have their human rights. However, a significant reduction in women trafficking has been observed. Between 2017 and 2018, 74514 victims of trafficking were detected from 110 countries and out of these digits 70 per cent were found to be females.

Report by Secretary-General of the United Nations titled 'Trafficking in women and girls has observed increased socio-economic widening due to Covid condition. Women's unequal economic status, poverty and economic inequality will get deepen by the ongoing crisis, the report stated.