STATEMENT BY
NUR FARIZA ZAHRIN
LONG-TERM DELEGATE TO THE 77TH UNGA,
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
AT THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE SESSION WITH
MS. ÅSA REGNÉR, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UN WOMEN
4 OCTOBER 2022, NEW YORK
Mr. Chair,
Malaysia wishes to thank Ms. Regnér for her presentation and would like to echo the recommendation contained in the Secretary-General’s report for trafficking in women and girls to be recognised as a form of gender-based violence.
Mr. Chair,
The vulnerability of women and girls to trafficking is an undeniable fact. This is evident by the higher percentage of victims being women and girls. In fact, the underlying problems of patriarchal culture and social norms in some societies further increase the risk of women and girls being subjected to gender-based violence and trafficking.
Malaysia is committed in combatting human trafficking and has undertaken necessary efforts by applying the 3Ps strategy, namely:
(1) protecting victims by providing benefits and services;
(2) investigating and prosecuting human trafficking crimes; and
(3) preventing further trafficking-related crimes.
Our question to Ms. Regnér is as follows; based on your interactions, how receptive are stakeholders to this idea of recognising trafficking as a form of gender-based violence and what are the foreseen challenges in getting such formal recognition?
Secondly what are the next steps that should be taken once trafficking in women and girls is formally recognised as a form of gender-based violence?
I thank you.