Protecting women from forced labour in South East Asia

  • Media release

The Australian Government has established a new project to help prevent the abuse and exploitation of women migrant workers in South East Asia.

At today's National Roundtable on Human Trafficking and Slavery I announced $2 million over two years in support for Preventing the Exploitation of Women Migrant Workers in ASEAN, a project to raise awareness among women in the region about the dangers of migration and to promote better understanding of their legal rights.

About 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally, with around half in the Asia Pacific region. Total illegal profits obtained from the use of forced labour worldwide amount to an estimated $160 billion per year.

UN Women, the UN agency responsible for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, will work together with governments and key national and regional actors to implement the project.

This project will form part of the Australian Government's wider commitment to combat human trafficking and slavery in South East Asia, including the $50 million flagship program, the Australia-Asia Program to Combat Trafficking in Persons (AAPTIP).

Media enquiries