Statement: Crises drive an increase in human trafficking. Here’s how we stop it. Around 25 percent of the global population, which is approximately two billion people, currently resides in regions affected by conflicts. They are enduring highly unstable conditions that make women and girls vulnerable to trafficking risks.

Recent studies have revealed that human trafficking was prevalent in 90 percent of the 171 wars and conflicts that occurred between 1989 and 2016. These risks are further aggravated by additional crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Along with factors like poverty, economic insecurity, displacement, limited access to safe migration options, and exposure to various forms of gender-based violence.

Statement: Crises drive an increase in human trafficking – Here’s how we stop it

Globally, women and girls comprise 65 percent of all trafficking victims. More than 90 percent of identified female victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation. In the aftermath of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine, searches for Ukrainian women escort services saw a significant surge of 300 percent.

This heightened demand incentivizes traffickers to exploit and recruit victims, increasingly utilizing online platforms and tools. The transition of women’s and girls’ activities to online platforms for work, education, and social interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic has created new avenues for recruitment, control, and exploitation. However, the increased reliance on technology has also opened up positive opportunities for investigating deceptive job offers. This strengthening prosecutions with digital evidence, and providing support services to survivors.

Read full statement here: www.unwomen.org