Human trafficking in South Africa

Human trafficking in South Africa occurs as a practice of forced labour and commercial sexual exploitation among imported and exported trafficked men, women, and children.[1] Generally, South African girls are trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic servitude, while boys are used for street vending, food service, and agriculture.[2] Anecdotal evidence suggests that South African children can also be forced to provide unpaid labor for landowners in return for land occupancy, living accommodation, or for maintaining labor tenancy rights.[3] In any case, this form of unpaid labor has caused human trafficking to be described as a modern form of slavery.[4] Human trafficking is the result of a combination of several factors, including gender inequality, economic instability, and political conflict. Since Africa experiences all of these, it is an active hub for human trafficking.[5] Many[who?] urge for the need of a cultural shift to reduce instances of human trafficking by lessening the demand for sex and unpaid labor.[6]

  1. ^ "South Africa". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Human Trafficking in Africa". Human Trafficking in Africa. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Spotlight on human trafficking as SA cops swoop on syndicate". www.ecpatinternational.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  4. ^ Adepoju, A. (2005). "Review of research and data on human trafficking in sub-Saharan Africa" (PDF). International Migration. 43 (1–2): 75–98. doi:10.1111/j.0020-7985.2005.00313.x. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  5. ^ Britton, H.E.; Dean, L.A. (2014). "Policy responses to human trafficking in Southern Africa: Domesticating international norms". Human Rights Review. 15 (3): 305–328. doi:10.1007/s12142-014-0303-9. hdl:1808/13033.
  6. ^ Van Der Watt, Marcell; Burger, Johan (2018). "The perplexities of human trafficking in South Africa – ISS Africa". ResearchGate.