Human Trafficking of Girls and Women Across Vietnam, China, Laos, Cambodia Borders: A Multiple Levels of Analysis
Institutional Affiliation
Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba
Start Date
January 2026
End Date
January 2026
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Format
Virtual
Proposal Description
This research conducts a scoping literature review to examine the causes of human trafficking of girls and women from remote areas in Vietnam from multiple levels of analysis. I utilize Waltz’s level of analysis model (1991) and human needs theory (Burton, 1990) to explore human trafficking at the international system level (power and geopolitics), state level (countries’ characteristics and capacities), and individual (personal and group behaviours) level. I add the local level to shed light on the gap between the state’s capacity to govern and resolve conflicts and the local communities’ diverse needs and conflict resolution mechanisms. I argue that human trafficking is a form of direct, structural, and cultural violence that violates human rights, children’s rights, and women’s rights. At the international level, the current legal structures of the United Nations and ASEAN fail to address the emerging tactics of human trafficking. Liberal economic development leads to a demand for human and natural resource exploitation to feed never-ending growth. Domestic policies, social issues, and the patriarchal culture of a state can have a spillover effect on its neighbouring states, creating conditions for transnational human trafficking. At a state level, different states have their own legal frameworks and capacities that impact the implementation and effectiveness of the rule of law. Colonialism can bring new social problems to Indigenous communities and break down community relations, making Indigenous girls and women become vulnerable to human trafficking as they move away from their villages. At an individual level, human traffickers often take advantage of girls and women’s needs for welfare, security, and connections. Overall, shifting the perception of human trafficking from a domestic issue to an international issue helps expand the imaginations of ideas and practices to intervene, prevent and transform such outrageous human rights violations in Vietnam and beyond.
Human Trafficking of Girls and Women Across Vietnam, China, Laos, Cambodia Borders: A Multiple Levels of Analysis
This research conducts a scoping literature review to examine the causes of human trafficking of girls and women from remote areas in Vietnam from multiple levels of analysis. I utilize Waltz’s level of analysis model (1991) and human needs theory (Burton, 1990) to explore human trafficking at the international system level (power and geopolitics), state level (countries’ characteristics and capacities), and individual (personal and group behaviours) level. I add the local level to shed light on the gap between the state’s capacity to govern and resolve conflicts and the local communities’ diverse needs and conflict resolution mechanisms. I argue that human trafficking is a form of direct, structural, and cultural violence that violates human rights, children’s rights, and women’s rights. At the international level, the current legal structures of the United Nations and ASEAN fail to address the emerging tactics of human trafficking. Liberal economic development leads to a demand for human and natural resource exploitation to feed never-ending growth. Domestic policies, social issues, and the patriarchal culture of a state can have a spillover effect on its neighbouring states, creating conditions for transnational human trafficking. At a state level, different states have their own legal frameworks and capacities that impact the implementation and effectiveness of the rule of law. Colonialism can bring new social problems to Indigenous communities and break down community relations, making Indigenous girls and women become vulnerable to human trafficking as they move away from their villages. At an individual level, human traffickers often take advantage of girls and women’s needs for welfare, security, and connections. Overall, shifting the perception of human trafficking from a domestic issue to an international issue helps expand the imaginations of ideas and practices to intervene, prevent and transform such outrageous human rights violations in Vietnam and beyond.