Blog by Joseph Mason, SI Advocacy and Communications Coordinator 

As part of the Sixty-Ninth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Peace Foundation, WARBE Development Foundation, and Apne AAP hosted a discussion on the intersection of migration and human trafficking.  

The event brought together policymakers, activists, and survivors to examine the vulnerabilities of migrant workers—particularly women—and the systemic changes needed to protect them.  

Speakers addressed key issues, including the risks of fraudulent recruitment, gaps in legal enforcement, and the urgent need for survivor-centred support. The discussion underscored the necessity of international collaboration and policy reform to ensure migration remains a pathway to opportunity, rather than exploitation. 

Opening Remarks: The Urgency of Safe Migration 

The event opened with a critical discussion on the intersection of migration and human trafficking, with emphasis on how migration, once a source of economic prosperity and cultural exchange, has increasingly become a desperate escape from conflict, climate change, and economic hardship.  

Bangladesh, one of the largest migrant-sending nations, faces particular challenges as its citizens seek opportunities abroad, only to be exploited by traffickers and unethical recruitment agencies. With millions vulnerable to forced labour and sex trafficking, the need for systemic change is critical. Experts outlined key areas for intervention, including policy reforms, stronger legal protections, and survivor-centred support. 

Understanding the Structural Vulnerabilities of Migrants 

Ms Mahjabeen Khaled, Secretary General of the Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration and Development, highlighted the structural vulnerabilities that expose Bangladeshi migrant workers—especially women—to trafficking networks. Low-skilled workers often rely on middlemen for job placements, leading to debt-based coercion, contract fraud, and outright trafficking.  

Women are particularly at risk of being forced into domestic servitude or sexual exploitation. Despite efforts from NGOs and government initiatives, law enforcement remains under-resourced, and victim identification systems are inadequate. Ms Khaled called for stronger oversight of recruitment agencies, trauma-informed survivor support, and international cooperation to prevent trafficking at its source. 

Legal and Policy Gaps in Anti-Trafficking Efforts 

Ms Hasina Akhter Huq, a development professional with extensive experience in migration governance, explored the legal and policy landscape in Bangladesh, highlighting the gaps in enforcement. While the country has taken steps to combat trafficking, including the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act (2012) and the establishment of anti-trafficking tribunals, challenges persist. Corruption within recruitment agencies, weak victim support structures, and insufficient legal awareness hinder progress.  

She called for better training for law enforcement, increased funding for victim shelters, and greater efforts to distinguish between human trafficking, smuggling, and legal migration. The session underscored the importance of a whole-of-society approach, involving governments, civil society, and the private sector. 

A Survivor’s Story: The Human Cost of Trafficking 

One compelling testimony came from Khuki , a trafficking survivor, who shared her harrowing experience. Tricked by a trafficker promising a stable job, she was instead sold into forced domestic labour, enduring physical and sexual abuse. Her story highlighted the widespread issue of fraudulent recruitment, where traffickers manipulate desperate individuals into exploitative situations. Her experience reinforced the need for greater accountability, legal action against traffickers, and more robust survivor reintegration programmes. 

The Climate Change and Trafficking Connection 

The session also covered the link between climate change, displacement, and trafficking. Many families in Bangladesh migrate due to environmental degradation, making them easy targets for traffickers. Rohingya refugees, who lack formal legal protections, are especially vulnerable. Ms Jasiya Khatoon, Director of WARBE Development Foundation, discussed how official trafficking statistics underreport the crisis—while government figures recorded just over 1,000 cases, civil society groups estimate the number to be well over 10,000. She called for improved data collection and more transparent collaboration between state and non-state actors. 

Strengthening Policy and Political Will 

Speakers emphasised that policy improvements must go beyond rhetoric. Despite some progress, Bangladesh still falls short of international anti-trafficking standards. Ms Jessica Coon, Director of the World Development Foundation, outlined major structural challenges, including a lack of accurate trafficking data, gaps in coordination between ministries, and inconsistent enforcement of existing laws. She argued that political will is essential to closing these gaps. Corruption within recruitment agencies and the lack of monitoring mechanisms allow traffickers to operate with impunity. To address these issues, she advocated for regular monitoring of labour recruitment agencies, stronger political action against trafficking networks, and improved reintegration support for survivors. 

Parliamentary Initiatives and Regional Collaboration 

A representative from Bangladesh’s Parliament highlighted the formation of a Parliamentary Caucus on Migration and Development, which aims to link grassroots concerns with policymaking. Ms Khaled stressed that migration and trafficking issues are not isolated to Bangladesh but extend across South Asia, necessitating a regional approach to reform. The creation of a South Asia Parliamentary Focus was discussed as a potential avenue to strengthen cross-border collaboration and policy enforcement. 

Q&A: Key Takeaways 

The Q&A session addressed several pressing questions from attendees: 

• How can organisations implement anti-trafficking policies effectively? NGOs must strengthen their connections with governments to ensure grassroots concerns are translated into policy changes. 

• What cultural factors contribute to trafficking vulnerabilities? Social stigma, gender discrimination, and lack of education make women more susceptible to fraudulent recruitment schemes. 

• How can survivors seek help when abroad? Establishing help desks in destination countries and ensuring diplomatic missions are trained to recognise trafficking signs are critical. 

• What support do returning survivors need? Psychosocial support, microfinance options, and job training programmes were identified as key areas for survivor reintegration. 

Conclusion: Turning Dialogue into Action 

The discussion concluded with a strong call for action, particularly around international cooperation. Panellists urged governments to collaborate on safe migration pathways, establish better monitoring systems, and ensure that survivors receive adequate reintegration support. They also pointed out the role of wealthier nations in fuelling exploitative migration patterns—without proper protections for migrant workers, traffickers will continue to exploit gaps in the system. 

The session concluded with a message: migration should be a right, not a risk. Governments, civil society, and international bodies must work together to dismantle trafficking networks, hold perpetrators accountable, and create systems that prioritise the safety and dignity of all migrants. Without urgent action, millions will continue to fall prey to an exploitative system that robs them of their freedom, safety, and future.