"This study was conceived by ACWC to end violence against women and children, and human trafficking is the worst kind of violence," ACWC Chairman Lily Purba said here on Wednesday.
The study describes the policies, laws, practices, and mutual challenges related to human trafficking, especially of women and children.
ACWC also invited all ASEAN countries to run the program and adopt the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking.
"Otherwise, it will just be a document," Purba remarked.
Purba urged ASEAN member states to form a team to protect victims of trafficking.
ACWCs representative from Laos, Chongchith Chantharanonh, said the adoption of policies to protect victims of trafficking was very important. In addition, the efficiency of law enforcement also determined the success of efforts to protect victims.
Cooperation between countries and regional organizations, Chantharanonh noted, would also help resolve the problem.
"Trafficking is not just between countries in the region, but more so within the region. All parties must work together to tackle this problem," Chantharanonh stressed.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to ASEAN Nina Hachigian remarked that the US supports ASEAN projects related to the protection of victims of human trafficking.
"The ASEAN has taken steps to address this issue since last year. The ASEAN Convention would help members protect the victims," Chantharanonh added.
Based on data from the International Organization for Migration, some 48.5 million people are victims of human trafficking, of which two-thirds come from Asian countries and one-third from Southeast Asia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
