The Asia Foundation hopes to engage key policymakers to integrate the research recommendations into their current efforts through evidence-based policy advocacy

Most female homicide victims are killed by their intimate partners or other family members, according to UNODC, while women and girls make up more than 60 per cent of all victims of human trafficking. However, lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and other measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to what the UN has called a “shadow pandemic” of rising gender-based violence.   

In an attempt to raise awareness of the topic, The Asia Foundation (TAF) and the Center for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) recently shared the findings from a study on “Optimizing Screening and Support Services for Victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Trafficking in Persons (TIP)” via a Zoom conference.  

The multi-country study commissioned by The Asia Foundation was carried out in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka with funding from United States Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. The national level reports were compiled by the Center for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) for Sri Lanka, FXB India Suraksha for India, and Social Science Baha for Nepal while the regional study will be released in the first quarter of 2022.  

The Asia Foundation hopes to engage key policymakers to integrate the research recommendations into their current efforts through evidence-based policy advocacy. As such, The Asia Foundation, Sri Lanka and CEPA will conduct several closed-door meetings with key government stakeholders in the coming months.  

Chandima Arambepola (CEPA), Dr. Ramani Jayasundere (The Asia Foundation Sri Lanka) and Professor Camena Gunaratne (Open University of Sri Lanka) attended the event. The national convening was attended by a diverse audience with representatives from NGOs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Development Organizations, academics and other parties and stakeholders with interest in this field.  

Chandima Arambepola commenced the forum by introducing the study background, methodology, the existing policy framework and the National Plan of Action to address Gender-based Violence (GBV), conceptualizing Trafficking in Persons (TIP) as a form of GBV. Ms. Arambepola further examined challenges in victim identification stemming from how service providers understand GBV and TIP which leads to gaps in service provision. She elaborated on the recommended way forward to enhance the existing support framework to provide better access to services for victims.  

In the next session Dr Ramani Jayasundere explained the interplay between TIP and GBV, and how TIP is treated differently from GBV. She spoke of how GBV is based on gender inequalities in a patriarchal system and unequal power relations between men and women.   

Professor Camena Gunaratne concluded the panel by discussing the legal and regulatory framework governing TIP in Sri Lanka that consist of international and regional conventions, in addition to domestic laws, regulation and policies. Professor Gunaratne further elaborated on the elements of trafficking and how it has become a complex, constantly evolving phenomenon requiring concerted, multipronged counter-efforts by both international and national actors.