In the huge expanse of global migration, the stories of migrant women and victims of trafficking often remain veiled in shadows, their struggles unnoticed and their voices unheard. We are focusing our lens on Finland and Venezuela, two countries with distinct contexts and approaches in addressing the challenges faced by these vulnerable groups.

The alarming reality of human trafficking and the plight of migrant women demands our attention. By comparing the situations in Finland and Venezuela, we aim to shed light on the successes, failures, and best practices that define the landscape of support and advocacy. Migrant women, both inside and outside Europe, can fall victim to exploitative labour practices, encompassing low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of job security. Similarly, female victims of trafficking, irrespective of location, commonly face the harrowing reality of sexual exploitation.

As mentioned in the article by Di Filosofia E Beni Culturali (2023) migrant women workers in Europe, especially in ‘low-skilled’ sectors, face vulnerability and exploitation due to policies favoring ‘skilled’ migrations and gendered, racialized perceptions. The invisibility and lack of regulation in sectors like domestic, sex, and agricultural work, where many migrant women, particularly the undocumented, are employed, contribute to their exploitation. Family responsibilities further expose them to abuse
as the pressure to fulfill these responsibilities may lead them to accept exploitative situations.

Contrary to mainstream narratives framing exploitation as inherent to certain types of work, the vulnerability of migrant women workers is shaped by contextual factors, notably irregularities in migration status and working conditions.

Failures & Successes

Venezuela’s economic instability acts as a catalyst for mass migration. Migrant women, seeking refuge from economic hardships, often find themselves at the mercy of uncertainty and vulnerability, as their pursuit of a better life clashes with the harsh realities of displacement.

The political turmoil in Venezuela exacerbates the risks faced by migrant women. Desperation for survival sometimes leads to exploitation, as traffickers seize the opportunity to prey on those in vulnerable positions, underlining the urgent need for international cooperation in combating trafficking networks. Venezuela’s crisis has created fertile ground for human trafficking. Women, both within and outside the country, may fall victim to traffickers who exploit their precarious situations for forced labour or sexual exploitation, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms. The absence of a stable legal framework compounds the risks faced by migrant women in Venezuela. Limited legal protections expose them to potential exploitation, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms to safeguard their rights.

Finland, renowned for its robust social welfare system, is not exempt from the economic vulnerabilities faced by migrant women. Despite promising opportunities, the competitive job market can lead to precarious employment, amplifying the risk of exploitative labour practices. In the progressive landscape of gender equality, Finland mirrors the global struggle against gender-based violence. Migrant women, akin to their counterparts worldwide, encounter the shadows of domestic violence and workplace harassment, emphasizing the ongoing challenge of achieving comprehensive protection. Behind the Nordic facade, instances of undocumented migrant women facing exploitation in sectors like domestic work or agriculture reveal vulnerabilities within the labour market. Limited legal protections expose them to precarious conditions, necessitating enhanced safeguards.

Cultural and linguistic disparities pose integration challenges for migrant women in Finland. The promise of multiculturalism sometimes falters in the face of social isolation, hindering the complete assimilation of migrant women into Finnish society.

In Finland, strong legal frameworks underscore the commitment to combating human trafficking. The comprehensive legal landscape is complemented by a well-structured support system. On the contrary, Venezuela grapples with political and economic turmoil, complicating efforts to address trafficking and support migrant women adequately. A stark difference emerges in the ability to enforce and implement protective measures. Both nations face challenges. Finland navigates issues of under reporting and gaps in victim identification. Venezuela, amid crises, struggles with resource allocation and political instability. Yet, successes emerge – Finland’s victim-centred approach fosters trust, while grassroots initiatives in Venezuela showcase resilience in the face of adversity (European Parliament 2021).

Global Collaboration for Safer Migration

According to this article we have read on Daily Mail, around 460,000 migrants have navigated the Darien Gap this year, seeking a path to the US. Recently, a caravan of 7,000 undertook this dangerous journey. However, armed groups along the way demand money from migrants, leading to severe abuse,
including rape, for those unable to pay. Even migrants with means are not guaranteed safety, as hiring ‘guides’ does not eliminate the risks of kidnapping, rape, and murder. The vulnerability of those travelling alone is particularly concerning, exposing them to extreme violence in the jungle. This is the case with most immigrants trying to flee their countries.

Reflecting on these realities triggers a recognition of the desperate circumstances pushing individuals to face such dangers. The exploitation of economic vulnerability, coupled with the absence of forceful protective measures, underscores the urgent need for international collaboration to ensure a safer passage for those seeking refuge. This situation calls for a world where migration is driven by choice rather than desperation, and the journey to a better life is free from exploitation and violence.

It is essential to recognize the shared challenges faced by migrant women and trafficking victims globally. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach, encompassing strengthened legal protections, increased awareness, and international collaboration. Empowering women, irrespective of their geographical location, is not just a moral imperative but a fundamental step toward a world where migration is a choice, not a desperate necessity, and where every woman is afforded dignity,
respect, and protection (Martinez 2023).

Empowering Human Rights: Best Practices for Social Field Workers

The difficulty of migrant women and female trafficking victims demands a compassionate and strategic approach from social field workers. As individuals who find themselves at the crossroads of economic vulnerability, migration, and the horrors of trafficking, these women require not only support but a holistic framework that empowers them to reclaim control over their lives. In this essay, we explore the best practices that social field workers can employ to effectively assist and advocate for the rights and well-being of migrant women and female trafficking victims.

Understanding the profound impact of trauma on survivors is foundational. A trauma-informed approach acknowledges the experiences of violence and exploitation, ensuring that interventions are sensitive to the emotional and psychological well-being of victims. Coupled with this, cultural competence is crucial. Social field workers must be adept at navigating diverse cultural backgrounds to provide nuanced and respectful assistance tailored to the specific needs of each survivor.

Prevention is as vital as intervention. Social field workers should engage in community-based outreach programs to raise awareness about the signs of human trafficking and the rights of migrants. By educating communities, they contribute to a protective environment where potential victims can be identified and supported.

A holistic approach to support is imperative. Survivors often require a spectrum of services encompassing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Social field workers should ensure access to healthcare, counselling, legal aid, and educational opportunities, recognizing that a comprehensive support network is essential for recovery.

With that said, Perry & Burns (2023) raised interesting points in their study exploring how gender expectations, especially within the political double bind, influence executive leadership policy choices on human trafficking. It posits that, due to the crime’s connection to both foreign and domestic, as well as masculine and feminine policy choices, women leaders are more likely to prioritize compassion domestically (fulfilling the “feminine” side of the double bind) over the “masculine” side. The analysis, covering 2000–2016 and involving 48 women leaders, supports this hypothesis, showing that women leaders prioritize protection measures over prosecution or prevention measures in addressing human trafficking. The findings suggest that women leaders navigate a careful balancing act, demonstrating flexibility in anti-trafficking policy scores.

Our Personal Inputs on the Topic

It is disheartening to recognize that economic vulnerabilities and the pursuit of better opportunities often lead these women into the clutches of traffickers, exploiting their dreams for a safer and more prosperous life. These stories evoke a profound sense of empathy and a realization that behind each statistic lies a personal journey marked by resilience, hardship, and often, unimaginable trauma. The vulnerability of those travelling alone, exposed to extreme violence in the unforgiving terrain, adds another layer of concern.

From a personal standpoint, it is evident that the exploitation of economic desperation coupled with insufficient protective measures underscores the urgency for global collaboration. It prompts a call to action for stronger international efforts to ensure a safer passage for those seeking refuge, free from the shackles of exploitation and violence. Reflecting on the shared challenges faced by migrant women and trafficking victims globally emphasizes the need for a holistic approach. Empowering these women is not just a moral imperative; it’s a fundamental step toward reshaping a world where migration is a choice driven by hope, not desperation. Every woman, irrespective of her geographical location, deserves the right to dignity, respect, and protection.

This highlights the importance of advocacy, awareness, and support. It motivates a commitment to contributing, in whatever capacity possible, to initiatives and movements that aim to alleviate the suffering of these women and address the root causes of trafficking. In the face of such challenging realities, the collective responsibility to raise change becomes more apparent.

References

Di Filosofia E Beni Culturali, D. 2023. Migrant women workers in Europe: forms of irregularity and
conditions of vulnerability. https://iris.unive.it/handle/10278/5021522?mode=full
Human trafficking: stronger measures to protect women, children, and migrants | News | European
Parliament. 2021. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210204IPR97113/humantrafficking-
stronger-measures-to-protect-women-children-and-migrants
Martinez, M. 2023. At least 400 female and child migrants have been brutalized in “rape tents” along
infamous Darien. . . Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12796245/Womenchildren-
migrants-rape-tents-Darien-Gap-doctors-without-borders.html
Perry, K., & Burns, C. 2023. Remembering the “Human” in Human Trafficking: An Analysis of Female
Leadership and Anti-Trafficking Policy Choices. International Studies Perspectives, 24(2), 148–168.
Accessed. 29. November.2023. https://doi.org/10.1093/isp/ekac014