The Political and Economic Transition from Communism and the Global Sex Trafficking Crisis: A Case Study of Moldova

Abstract

This paper will investigate the effects of political and economic transition from communism to a greater market system and its impact upon the increase of sex trafficking in Moldova. Moldova is considered to be one of the most affected ‘source countries’ for trafficked women and children because of differential degrees of economic and political liberalization in different regions of the country. Observations of both the incidence of trafficking and government responsiveness to the issue from Moldova yield useful insights into the question of whether structural changes within the political and economic system decrease social stability and create an environment in which trafficking will flourish.

Keywords:

• Sex Trafficking
• Forced Migration
• Gendered Migration
• Feminisation of Migration
• Economic Liberalization
• Moldova
• Victimization
• Gendered Poverty
• Gendered Inequality

Notes

1. Crime may be organized, but not necessarily fit the criteria of ‘organized crime.’ While much criminal activity in the trafficking of persons may be organized that does not infer that organized crime such as the Russian Mafia are necessarily involved.