By Mona Korashy Sex trafficking is now on the agenda. One of the world's oldest professions, prostitution is also one of the most lucrative. Hence the emergence, particularly in modern times, of well-organised supply chains spanning the globe, governed by mafia-like networks operating with impunity, perturbed neither by law nor morality. Prevailing customs don't always help. Indeed, in some parts of Africa and Asia sex trafficking is not considered a sin. Sex workers can be classified three ways. First are victims of poverty who have no other alternative for lack of opportunity or skills. Second are those who are eager for easy money for whatever reason. Third are victims of war or unofficial immigration to wealthy countries, during which women and children are often subject to violence and humiliation. Slaves in a different form, women who flee wars often find themselves dependent for security and well-being, making them vulnerable to coercion and blackmailing. Such a complex problem needs a complex solution made up of multiple and complementary initiatives framing an international strategy aimed at ending all forms of sexual commerce and slavery. Such endeavours should include the private sector, civil society, the media and governments under the umbrella of a global anti-trafficking campaign. Victims need support, psychological and material, and should be reintegrated without stigma into society. Such a global anti-trafficking campaign could mirror the success of international anti-smoking campaigns, though the tobacco industry fights hard to protect its interests. The point is that everyone can play a role in defending human dignity by raising the issue and lobbying for rights and dignity for all. As regional coordinator of the International Alliance of Women, I have already tackled this subject in the Egyptian press, believing that Muslim societies, which forbid all such trade and punish severely sex trafficking, will join the global campaign we hope to see. This week's Soapbox speaker is vice-president of the International Alliance of Women.
