OSCE side event focus: How can women's participation in organized crime prevention and exit initiatives be strengthened?

On October 15, the OSCE Transnational Threats Division and the Office of the Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Persons held a side event on the sidelines of the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Building on the findings and recommendations of the OSCE report “Understanding the role of women in organized crime,” the side event discussed how women can be better identified, included and supported in prevention and exit initiatives. Discussions focused on examining risk factors and vulnerabilities that drive the recruitment of women into organized crime, including victimization and sexual exploitation related to human trafficking. The side event reflected the whole-of-society approach underlying gender-responsive approaches to tackling organized crime and brought together over 40 participants, including policymakers, criminal justice practitioners, academics and civil society.

“OSCE data is crucial to better understanding the role of women in organized crime,” said Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, Coordinator of OSCE Activities to Address Transnational Threats, in her opening remarks and support women in prevention and exit initiatives from organized crime.”

Dr. Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, emphasized that “it is crucial for victims of human trafficking who have committed trafficking-related criminal acts to escape their own exploitation to adopt a human rights-based approach and apply the principle of impunity to strengthen the protection of survivors and improve the investigation and prosecution of these cases.”

This side event highlighted the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to women's representation in organized crime groups, covering recruitment, sexual exploitation, gender stereotypes and exit routes. This represents a significant step towards improving recognition of the role of women in organized crime and the resulting need to implement a human rights-centred approach to prevention and exit initiatives.

The side event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of the Kyrgyz Republic and Sweden to the United Nations in Vienna.