Policy Responses to Human Trafficking in Southern Africa: Domesticating International Norms

Abstract

Human trafficking is increasingly recognized as an outcome of economic insecurity, gender inequality, and conflict, all significant factors in the region of southern Africa. This paper examines policy responses to human trafficking in southern Africa and finds that there has been a diffusion of international norms to the regional and domestic levels. This paper finds that policy change is most notable in the strategies and approaches that differ at each level: international and regional agreements emphasize prevention measures and survivor assistance, but national policies emphasize prosecution measures. Leaders across the region have adapted these policy norms to fit regionally specific conditions, including HIV/AIDS, conflict, traditional leaders, and prostitution. Yet, national policies often fail to incorporate preventative solutions to address gender inequality, human rights, and economic development. Until appropriate funding and preventative measures are introduced, the underlying issues that foster human trafficking will continue. KeywordsNorms diffusion -Human trafficking -Southern African Development Community -ProstitutionChild trafficking 2 This paper examines policy approaches used to address human trafficking in southern Africa. 1 We argue that the theories of international norm diffusion and localization Human trafficking and gender-based violence are extremely prevalent in post-conflict societies as unexpected and lasting consequences of war. Facilitated by poverty, disruption in social structures, and discriminatory gender systems, human trafficking poses a threat to human security in Africa by challenging the rule of law, societal peace, and the welfare state (Jonsson 2009). Many southern African countries experienced protracted civil conflict in their quest to gain independence from colonial and apartheid powers during the latter half of the 20 th century. Now, more than two decades after liberation in most countries, the legacies of war and racial and gender inequality remain. There have been successful, national-level public initiatives to increase women's representation in national office, implement democratic institutions, and support transformative development programs. Despite these initiatives, the region still faces significant gender inequality, economic disparity, and interpersonal violence at the grassroots and household level. This context creates an enabling environment for human trafficking. The region is increasingly being utilized as a source of trafficked persons, a transit hub for trafficking networks, and a destination for trafficked persons and sex trafficking. for understanding how trafficking policies are being developed in southern Africa, and these support for this study. We especially thank Larry Hoyle of IPSR for his assistance in the use of Atlas.ti. We also wish to thank Alexandria Innes for her assistance with the French translation. We are grateful to the helpful comments from members of the Continuity, Change, and Credibility of Institutions (CCCI) Wor...

Queering the Support for Trafficked Persons: LGBTQ Communities and Human Trafficking in the Heartland

“…While this quote necessarily reflects the experiences of only one service provider, it suggests existing research has limited applicability for a range of survivors that fall outside the aforementioned "ideal" model of trafficking victims (Britton & Dean, 2014;Hoyle et al, 2011;Lobasz, 2009;Munro, 2008;O'Brien, 2012;OxmanMartinez et al, 2005)-in this case rural youth. Just as trafficking survivors cannot be reduced to one race, gender, or orientation, they cannot be reduced to one geographic specificity (i.e., urban), and anti-trafficking prevention must recognize the important differences in the regional backgrounds, history, and experiences of trafficked persons in order to be effective.…”

“…While this is certainly not an inappropriate goal-we do not wish to criticize social service providers seeking an improved material existence for their vulnerable or exploited survivors-it limits the definition of "successful" survivors to those who align closest to a linear concept of progress. Survivors who do not normatively shift from instability to stability are rendered illegible within its framework because they do not fit the model of the "ideal victim" (Britton & Dean, 2014;Hoyle, Bosworth, & Dempsey, 2011;Lobasz, 2009;Munro, 2008;O'Brien, 2012;Oxman-Martinez et al, 2005): for example, those who repeatedly return to the service organization or those who refuse to modify certain risky behaviors and are inappropriately deemed culpable in their own exploitation.…”

“…Solely focusing on survivor-centered approaches to trafficking will not address the societal-level factors that push and pull persons into exploitation and vulnerability, such as war, gender inequality, discrimination, and social inequity (Britton & Dean, 2014;Goodey, 2008). Similarly, focusing only on nationallevel responses has led internationally to a focus on anti-immigration policies, crime, law enforcement, and prosecution at the cost of protecting survivors and advancing human rights (Goodey, 2008;Kaneti, 2011;Lindstrom, 2006;Smith, 2011).…”

Aligned Across Difference: Structural Injustice, Sex Work, and Human Trafficking

“…Their victimization most often involves high debts and abusive working conditions, not outright kidnapping and imprisonment. (2003,931) The anti-trafficking movement has been well funded, and, with its focus on policy and prosecution (Tilly and Wood 2012), it has been more successful than other movements in creating an international diffusion of anti-trafficking policies (Britton and Dean 2014).…”

“…We assert the conflict between abolitionist and autonomy feminists distracts from substantive changes needed to decrease inequalities that disproportionately affect women, migrant populations, and racial and sexual minorities. While this paper focuses on human trafficking and sex work within the United States, the scope of this carceral framework clearly affects lives in similar ways outside our borders (Britton and Dean 2014;Chapkis 2003;Kempadoo 2001).…”