CONTENTS

Abstract 1

Background or Problem Statement 2

Research Question 3

Hypothesis 3

Literature Review 3-4

Research Method 4

Proposed Chapter Outlines 4-5

References 6
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Cross-Border Trafficking in Women: A Case Study on China

ABSTRACT

Human trafficking is both a violation of human rights and the world's fastest-growing
criminal industry. This study looks into the transnational trafficking of girls and women in
China. Women and children in China are trafficked both within and outside the country for
commercial sexual exploitation or forced marriage, as well as for involuntary servitude as
domestic servants, circus performers, and factory laborers. China has some of the highest
incidences of human trafficking and some of the worst human rights violations in Asia. In this
context, the goal of this study is to analyze the complex dynamics of cross-border women
trafficking in China, with an emphasis on understanding the core causes and providing
effective preventive measures. This paper tries to explore the effective ways of preventing
women trafficking and then goes into the reasons behind trafficking.

Keywords: Human trafficking, Women trafficking, Exploitation, Forced marriage, Women’s

Rights
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1. Background or Problem Statement

Women are regarded to be one of the most vulnerable populations to human trafficking.
Slavers kidnap, trade, and force women and girls in practically every country throughout the
world for sexual or commercial exploitation. Though many human rights and government
organizations believe that human trafficking of women is a significant violation of human
rights that must be combated, the complicated and broad nature of human trafficking
operations makes pursuing and punishing traffickers practically hard in many situations. The
People's Republic of China has one of the world's highest rates of human trafficking,
particularly in the sex and marriage markets. China has become the center for cross-border
trafficking due to its rapid economic growth and changing socio-cultural dynamics. Women
are frequently seduced into exploitation by promises of improved economic possibilities,
marriage, or foreign employment. Both men and women are victims of human trafficking,
although women and girls are disproportionately vulnerable to this activity due to ongoing
inequities in status and opportunity. Moreover, poverty, corruption, legislation, and
globalization all feed the human trafficking machine, amplifying the industry's success. Plus,
human trafficking is now an internationally recognized criminal offense, and there is
widespread understanding of the critical need to combat it. According to the United Nations,
a large number of persons have been unlawfully trafficked across national boundaries and
have ended up in the hands of various criminal organizations. Likewise, it is widely assumed
that these people migrate to their nation primarily due to poverty and suffering.

2. Research Question

The research project paper will answer the following questions.

What are the primary socio-economic, political, and cultural factors contributing to the cross-
border trafficking of women in China? What are the challenges and consequences
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experienced by women who have been trafficked across China’s borders? What are the
effective ways of preventing women trafficking? Specifically, the researchers aim to (a)
investigate the social, political, and cultural issues that contribute to women's vulnerability to
trafficking in China, (b) examine the difficulties in providing long-term rehabilitation for
survivors, (c) assess the efficiency of law enforcement efforts in combating human trafficking
and assisting victims, and (d) participate in advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives to
promote a better understanding of women's cross-border trafficking.

3. Hypothesis

Hypothesis 1: Due to limited access to education and work possibilities, women from
socioeconomically deprived families are especially vulnerable to cross-border trafficking.

Hypothesis 2: Inadequate legislative frameworks and law enforcement capacities in some

places provide gaps that traffickers exploit, promoting cross-border women trafficking.

4. Literature Review

“Trafficking in Women in China” was written by Quanbao Jiang in 2011. The author
presented that human trafficking of women and children is seen by the world community as a
new form of slavery and a heinous violation of basic human rights. It has become a social
problem in Mainland China, threatening social stability.

“Trafficking: A Perspective from Asia” was written by Ronald Skeldon in 2000. He claimed
that some Chinese scholars think that since the 1990s, trafficking in women has mainly been
caused by socioeconomic factors rather than a higher sex ratio at birth (male-to-female ratio).

“Transnational Migration, Marriage and Trafficking at the China-Vietnam Border'' was

written by Le Bach Duong, Danièle Belanger, and Khuat Thu Hongin in 2007. The authors
stated that the gender deficit in various Asian countries increases the demand for female labor
force and marriageable women, leading to an increase in female migration seeking work and
marriage. With increased domestic and international female migration, the risk of being
trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labor, or marriage increases.
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Furthermore, “Woman and Nation” was written by Jayawardena in 1986. Jayawardena

claimed that it was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that women in many other parts of
the world started to organize against sex-based inequalities as well as to demand legal
reforms aimed at removing patriarchal rights within the family and in society at large.
Regardless of the shape that female mobilization adopted, the twentieth century was
characterized by the increasing integration of women into society, not only in terms of work
but also in the education sector.

Another important element that the researcher wants to bring out is the lack of access to high-
quality education. Individuals without the empowerment that comes from knowledge and
learning may lack the understanding to spot potential traps established by traffickers or may
be unable to access better, safer options, falling into the grasps of these criminals.

5. Research Design and Method

The study will employ a qualitative approach, drawing on data from government papers, non-
governmental groups, university studies, and international organizations. Also, content
analysis will be used to get relevant insights into the causes, and consequences of cross-
border trafficking of women. Additionally, understanding the complexities of cross-border
women's trafficking is critical for guiding policy responses, increasing awareness, and
establishing effective prevention measures. This study intends to provide valuable
perspectives to the current body of information on human trafficking in China by using
exploratory research design with secondary data.

6. Proposed Chapter Outlines

Chapter 1: Introduction

-Background or Problem Statement

-Research Question

-Prospective Hypothesis

-Literature Review
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-Research Design and Method

Chapter 2: Root Causes of Trafficking in Women in China

-Women trafficking situation in China

-Economic Factors

-Social Factors

Chapter 3: Impact on Victims

-The long-term impact of trafficking on women

-The challenges in the process of recovery and reintegration

-The transmission of diseases, HIV/AIDS, within trafficking networks and the broader

Chapter 4: Preventive Measures and Awareness

-Innovation strategies for prevention

-International cooperation and collaboration in addressing cross-border trafficking

-Enhancing partnerships between governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders

-Policy Recommendation

Conclusion:
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7. References

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Retrieved December 15, 2016, from
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/

Deane, Tameshnie. "Cross-border trafficking in Nepal and India—violating women’s

rights." Human rights review 11 (2010). doi:10.1007/s12142-010-0162-y

Deshpande, Neha A., and Nawal M. Nour. "Sex trafficking of women and girls." Reviews in
Obstetrics and Gynecology 6, no. 1 (2013): e22.

Jiang, Quanbao, and Jesús Sánchez-Barricarte. "Trafficking in women in China."

(2011).

Qiu, Geping, Sheldon X. Zhang, and Weidi Liu. "Trafficking of Myanmar women for
forced marriage in China." Crime, Law and Social Change 72 (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-019-09826-9

Skeldon, Ronald. "Trafficking: A perspective from Asia." International migration 38, no.3
(2000). doi:10.1111/1468-2435.00113

Stöckl, Heidi, Ligia Kiss, Jobst Koehler, Dung Thuy Dong, and Cathy Zimmerman.
"Trafficking of Vietnamese women and girls for marriage in China." Global
health research and policy 2, no. 1 (2017).

Sullivan, Barbara. "Trafficking in Women." International feminist Journal of politics 5,

no.1 (2003).
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Yik-Yi Chu, Cindy. "Human trafficking and smuggling in China." Journal

of Contemporary China 20, no. 68 (2011). doi:10.1080/10670564.2011.520842

Zhao, Gracie Ming. "Trafficking of women for marriage in China: Policy and practice."
Criminal Justice 3, no. 1 (2003).