Victims of human trafficking in the Philippines are not all the same, according to the Commission of Human Rights (CHR). By recognizing the different experiences and vulnerabilities of victims, the Philippines has been able to address human trafficking, especially the trafficking of women and girls.
CHR Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa shared these insights during a side event at the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). She highlighted the various strategies adopted by the Philippines to prevent and address trafficking, leading to the country maintaining its Tier 1 status by the US State Department last year.
However, the US State Department report also noted that the government needed to do more to investigate and prosecute labor trafficking crimes that occurred within the Philippines. The report revealed that 490 women and 148 girls were victims of sex trafficking last year.
Dumarpa emphasized the importance of a holistic approach that takes into account the specific identities and contexts of trafficking victims. She also mentioned the government’s community-based strategies, where they collaborate with women’s organizations to provide support to victims.
The CHR commissioner stressed the need for survivor-centered approaches in responding to trafficking in women and girls. The commission has also entered into formal agreements to institutionalize gender-based violence responses in the country.
According to a 2016 United Nations report, 71% of all trafficking victims worldwide are women and a third are children. The Philippines, through its efforts and partnerships, continues to work towards combating human trafficking and supporting victims.
