MESSAGE

The International Labour Organization congratulates the Development Action for Women Network and Vital Voices Global Partnership in organizing this conference on Migration and Trafficking in Persons, dealing with the theme “Recognizing the Dignity and Rights of Women.

There is reason to focus on women in the continuing advocacy for the protection of migrants against trafficking as the overall feminization of international migration is likely to continue, along with an increase in the vulnerability of women migrants to discrimination, exploitation and abuse. The greater incidence of trafficking of women is a serious manifestation of the feminization of poverty and the broader challenges facing women and girls in a world where gender discrimination, both within and outside the labor market, persists. The international community continues to accumulate evidence of this behavior, leading to a multi-disciplinary approach for a concerted war against trafficking and human rights abuse.

In pursuit of the Decent Work Agenda, the ILO embraces the protection of vulnerable workers in its strategic priorities, drawing special attention to women migrants. Trafficking, often leading to situations of forced labour and sexual exploitation, is inimical to the ILO's primary goal of promoting opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

The unfailing vigilance, open dialogue, political will and concerted action, as this gathering show, will certainly guarantee a winning fight for the protection of the dignity and rights of women in the globalizing economy.

Linda Wirth
Director