Begging and Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation in Pakistan

Author(s) : Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman Chaudhry, Dr. Anwaar Mohyuddin

Abstract:

The research paper is an attempt to provide a national picture of commercial sexual exploitation of women and children in Pakistan. This growing phenomenon has been studied in the light of ‘demand and supply’ principal. Supply, demand and impunity, together, create a space in which trafficking can flourish. The study documents the magnitude, incidence and consequences of women and children engaged in beggary and sex business. The role of poverty and mindset which forces the women and children in the particular business has been addressed. The poverty is the lack of ability to earn and satisfy one’s basic minimum needs to keep body and soul together. When the community and the state fail to provide basic needs, the trend of begging increases and attains an organized way of income generation. The study also reviews what is known about the causes and associated risks and protective factors. Its focus is on preventive strategies, in particular through the identification of best practices in prevention, including those designed by the victims themselves. This study also reveals the role of religion, society and neighborhood in promoting begging as a business which ultimately leads to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Furthermore, the study describes the evidence demonstrating which interventions work, which are promising, and which have been shown to be ineffective.