NWAC calls for an international alliance to end human trafficking of Indigenous women and girls at 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

Ottawa, ON- This week, the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is attending the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN headquarters in New York.

Today, NWAC will be attending a session hosted by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on “Preventing the Trafficking of Women and Girls for Sexual Exploitation: Understanding States Obligations to Address Demand Under the Palermo Protocol.” We must address the overrepresentation of Indigenous women as victims of human trafficking globally.

In Canada, Indigenous women make up four per cent of the population, but are roughly 50% of the trafficking victims. We know this is not only a Canadian issue, but an international issue as well. Around the world, Indigenous women experience violence at disproportionate rates. It is time for an international commitment to address these issues.

Within NWAC’s recently signed Accord with Canada, our first priority is to improve the well-being of Indigenous women, which includes addressing domestic and international human trafficking. NWAC emphasizes that human trafficking has no boundaries or borders, and calls for an international alliance of women to end human trafficking.

Our women and girls deserve better. Let’s work together to create a safer future for Indigenous women globally.

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For more information

Please contact: Lucy Juneau – Director of Communications.

ljuneau@nwac.ca 343-997-3756

Media Contact:

For information, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Roselie LeBlanc roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca or 604-928-3233

Pour obtenir plus d’information ou prendre des dispositions pour une interview, contacter:

Roselie LeBlanc, par courriel : roselie@sparkadvocacy.ca ou par téléphone: 604-928-3233