ARE WOMEN SEX OBJECTS?

Sex trafficking is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, including sexual slavery. Mark Klamberg states that sexual slavery is a particular form of enslavement which includes limitations on one's autonomy, freedom of movement and power to decide matters relating to one's sexual activity. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are 20.9 million people subjected to forced labour, and 22% (4.5 million) who are victims of forced sexual exploitation.

Victims of sex trafficking do not enjoy what they do. They are threatened,  manipulated, lied to, in debt bondage or coerced in any way to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. That is, sex traffickers don't seek the victims' consents before exploiting them, sexually or making them commercial sex workers. A victim, according to Wikipedia is forced, in one of a variety of ways, into a situation of dependency on their trafficker(s) and then used by said trafficker(s) to give sexual services to customers.

The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 4.8 million people trapped in forced sexual exploitation globally. The figure might look quite small compared to the population of the world but the act is barbaric which contributes to the menace of the society. The society is not safe for both women and children anymore because they are mostly victims of this uncultured act. Plus, we don't know who is next. It could be your loved one or the lady you have been admiring for a while now. 

Sex trafficking involves prostitution and pornography. That is, it is involving children, younger than 18 years of age and women and girls in prostitution and pornography. You are surprised? Why would children be involved in such? Children younger than 18 years cannot give consent. In respect to a fact on Focus on Family, it's stated that worldwide, almost 20% of all trafficking victims are children. However, in some parts of Africa, children are the majority (up to 100% in parts of West Africa). Also, human sex trafficking is the most common form of modern-day slavery. Estimates place the number of its domestic and international victims in the millions, mostly females and children enslaved in the commercial sex industry for little or no money.

A lady meets a long time friend. I mean they just got back from the states or wherever after a long time and after exchanging pleasantries, they find out that this lady is jobless. They tell her to get ready. She would be traveling with them in a month's time. All expenses paid! When she gets there, they would get her a job. Or still, a paying job awaits her. She's glad! Finally, she'd be leaving the country. How sad! The urge to living a better or improved life prompts her into sex trafficking? Well, maybe, yes. However, that is dependent on gender stereotypes. I'd explain. 

Women and girls are seen as sex objects! In fact, they are sex objects according to the stereotype, hence, they are the targets according to a report by Equality Now which  states that 20.9 million adults and children are bought and sold worldwide into commercial sexual servitude, forced labor and bonded labor. Women and girls make up 98 percent of the victims trafficked for sexual exploitation. Therefore, because they are sex objects, they are used without their consents to generate money according to ILO, the human trafficking industry generates a profit of $150 billion per year. Just imagine a world where women and girls are not seen as sex objects. Just imagine a world where both sexes know that sex is consensual and that one party is not doing the other a favour by having sex with them. Or imagine a world where the males are seen as sex objects. Won't they be the target of sex trafficking?

It's obvious that factors like desire to travel out; longing to live an improved life and the likes influence sex trafficking. However, it is important to know that sex trafficking begins with the stereotypes that women are sex objects, weaker vessels and the likes.

Sex trafficking is not limited to the borders. It happens in the state. You don't have to travel before you become a victim in reference to a known fact which states that though trafficking seems to imply people moving across continents, most exploitation takes place close to home. Data show intra-regional and domestic trafficking are the major forms of trafficking in persons. 

Therefore, to curb sex trafficking, we have to be rid detrimental stereotypes and restructure gender roles. Women are not sex objects! It takes consent to have sex and lack of consent to be raped or exploited. Women are not sex objects! Their consents should be sought before trying anything sexual with them. They are not different from human beings. They are as human as the men. 

Thank you for following.