Webinar on Gender and Human Trafficking

In recent times, human trafficking has become a global concern as both developed and developing countries are grappling with its associated challenges. Both women and men, including children, are being trafficked all over the world, usually from one geographical area to another or within the same geographical space either for sex exploitation or hard labour with little remuneration. In collaboration with the Israeli Embassy in Ghana, the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) organized a webinar to discuss this global issue. The objective was to sensitize the university community, particularly students, Ghanaians and the world at large on the consequences and implications of human trafficking from two perspectives: the African and Israeli perspectives.

The speakers were Ms. Mariam Gvaram, Gender and Human Trafficking Expert, Israeli School of Humanitarian Action; and Prof. Joseph Teye, Director, Centre for Migration Studies, University of Ghana. Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Health and Population Specialist, Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, chaired the session. The speakers highlighted the fact that human trafficking particularly in the African context, is as a result of several interrelated factors including poverty, low level of education, lack of family support, patriarchal tradition and the stringent Visa regime. Again, the trafficking of men for sex is also increasing against previously held view that only women were trafficked for sex. It was concluded that policy makers must focus on both males and females and policies must be directed at specific sectors to know which sex is most affected within those domains and address accordingly.