Socio
-
cultural causes
The oppression of women and children within patriarchal family and social structures, in
which women
are subordinated to men, is of the main reasons why they fall prey to
traffickers. It is also a major factor in the demand for sexual and other services, without
which human trafficking could not prosper.
Not only do women and girls rarely enjoy the same o
pportunities as men and boys, they are
the objects of discriminating attitudes and treatment. They are often regarded as a burden
to the family and far less time and resources are invested in them. Girls are frequently
prevented from going to school. Women
have less say in family matters than men and in
many cases cannot own or rent land. Other factors that tend to make people dependent and
vulnerable are ethnic or social discrimination.