Central American ministers took a giant step this week by kicking
off a regional effort to fight the trafficking of women in the
region.



The groundbreaking two-day event held in San Jose brought together
female ministers members of the Central American Council of Women
Ministries (COMMCA), IOM counter trafficking experts, and the
Central American Network of NGOs combating violence against women.




The trafficking of women is rarely discussed in national and
regional debates, despite the fact that worldwide 80 per cent of
victims are women and minors. IOM’s regional statistics on
return assistance for victims of trafficking, women and minors
represent more than 90%.



The latest trends recorded in the region have confirmed an increase
in intra-regional irregular migration and human trafficking.



A 2006 report published by the United Nations Organization on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC) cites the countries in Central America as
countries of origin, transit and destination, with movement to and
from areas as diverse as that of the Philippines, the countries of
the Soviet Union, Spain, Japan, Canada and the United States.



Recognizing that trafficking of women is yet another manifestation
of gender violence, government and non-governmental participants
agreed on guidelines for an action plan that will advance the
systematic development of public policies to combat the trafficking
of women.



The leadership of COMMCA also agreed to urge all Central American
heads states at the upcoming XXI Summit, scheduled to take place
this month in Costa Rica, to include the trafficking of women, as a
priority item in their regional political agenda.



For further information, please contact:



Agueda Marin

IOM San Jose

Tel. (506) 221 53 48 Ext 119

Email: "mailto:amarin@iom.int">amarin@iom.int