Dechen Tsering provides an overview of international human trafficking focusing on Cambodia and Thailand, as one third of trafficking takes place in Asia. What exactly is human trafficking? The United Nations defines trafficking as abduction and transport of people accomplished by threat or use of force, fraud, or deception through promises of job or other economic opportunity. It is abuse of power or takes advantage of a position of vulnerability in order to exploit the victim. International human trafficking is not limited to sexual exploitation; it also includes servitude, slavery, and even organ theft.

During a presentation to Stanford Business School graduate students hosted by the Stanford Center for Social Innovation, Tsering describes the mission of the Global Fund for Women (GFW) and its role as a funder of programs by and about women worldwide. Over the past 20 years GFW has granted over $50 million in 163 countries for projects promoting women's rights. GFW's diverse staff and panel of advisors comes from all over the world and convenes international conferences examining trafficking.

What social and economic factors lead to the unwitting entry of vulnerable girls and women into human trafficking? Tsering tells compelling stories of individuals that demonstrate how girls and women are lured and tricked into trafficking situations.

Globalization, developing nations' increasing dependence on IMF and world bank loans that require privatization, and the resulting breakdown of the government safety net are significant factors in the causes and factors in trafficking. Unemployment and poverty create pressure on women, making them vulnerable to traffickers. Devaluing women in social cultural status gives them less access to education and work skills, which increases their vulnerability to traffickers. And ironically, violence at home can push a desperate girl to accept the fraudulent offers of a trafficker. Militarization also comes with a rise in sex industry demand, particularly increasing the demand for younger girls.

Tsering discusses the tools and techniques of traffickers and offers solutions. In their important work to stop international human trafficking, GFW advocates a broad holistic approach that includes support of women's reproductive health and grassroots economic development in areas at risk.