Shifting Cambodia Away from its Economic Dependence on Human Trafficking

Asmani Patel, The University of Texas at Austin

Presentation for 2011 Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking, September 29 - October 1, 2011, Lincoln, Nebraska. Copyright © 2011 Asmani Patel.

Removed by request of author January 17, 2015.

Abstract

The issue of human trafficking is becoming increasingly complex as more countries and people are absorbed into the chain of this illegal trade. Specifically, the topic of human trafficking of women and young girls in Cambodia is of interest because the country has many socioeconomic factors that contribute to the complexity of the issue. While the rise of women being trafficked in Cambodia cannot be attributed to one or even a handful of reasons, there is strong evidence that points to the rural and urban poverty gap, corrupt government and officials, and tourism as some of the main causes. Over time, human trafficking has become a significant portion of Cambodia’s economy and eradicating it would shake the stability of the country in its current state. Nevertheless, it is necessary to explore and implement possible options to provide Cambodia with a bridge in the economy so that the country may be able to cross over successfully while letting go of human trafficking as an important factor of its economy. Therefore, this paper will explore some ways to alleviate the problem of human trafficking in and through Cambodia by understanding what social movements have already been implemented and also by proposing new methods of intervention. It will argue that through the collaboration between local communities and global powers, as well as the rise of new, more structured social movements, Cambodia’s government can gain the resources needed to stabilize its infrastructure and improve its economic conditions. Lastly, long term goals will also be proposed so that the different and evolving populations within Cambodia may sustain a successful economy in the future.