The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

and Herzegovina. <strong>The</strong> IOM response came promptly through prevention <strong>of</strong> and
treatment <strong>of</strong> STIs and reproductive tract infections, as well as assistance in
reproductive health and counseling. 24 <strong>The</strong> UNFPA response was also rapid. At
the level <strong>of</strong> Bosnia and Herzegovina, a unified project was designed to cover
reproductive health care, counseling and contraceptives delivery and rebuilt the
established national health structure and network. <strong>The</strong> result is expected to be a
coordinated and comprehensive response to the reproductive health care and
information needs <strong>of</strong> trafficked women in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition,
IOM and UNFPA jointly proposed a regional project to combat trafficking.
<strong>The</strong> UNMIBH/UNOHCHR report mentions that “obstruction, obfuscation
and passivity permeate the law enforcement and policy apparatus <strong>of</strong> the state at
every level.” 25 “A right based approach, concentrating on prevention, the
protection <strong>of</strong> victims and prosecution <strong>of</strong> the traffickers” correlates directly to
UNFPA activities in the region, specifically in areas <strong>of</strong> prevention and protection.
IOM is developing country-specific assistance projects for victims to
facilitate the return <strong>of</strong> women trafficked to the Balkans. Along with providing
shelters for victims, IOM is collecting data on the experiences <strong>of</strong> the women and
their trafficked routes. More than 356 women had returned and 21 cases were in
the pipeline in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as <strong>of</strong> 15 October 2001. In Kosovo, 170
women had returned to their countries <strong>of</strong> origin since IOM started the
programme. 26 IOM also helped repatriate 300 trafficked women in 10 months,
and the Government expelled another 500 in Macedonia. 27
Approximately one third <strong>of</strong> trafficked women are from local communities,
in Kosovo; 70 per cent <strong>of</strong> clients are Kosovar men in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
and 90 per cent are from local communities. <strong>The</strong> traffickers’ modus operandi
differs from country to country. For example, women trafficked to Kosovo are
sold three to six times on their way to the province, 28 whereas women trafficked
to Bosnia are frequently sold from place to place once they are in the country.
Millions <strong>of</strong> dollars are made in the Balkan trafficking business. Women
cost between DM 2.500 to 3.000 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Macedonia, the
price is a bit lower, according to the police in Skopje, costing between DM 1.000
and 2.000. A false passport costs DM 500. 29
24 IOM, Counter Trafficking Strategy for the Balkans and Neighbouring Countries (2001).
25 UNMIBH, Legal and Human Rights Offices, UNOHCHR, Report, p. 17.
26 Schuler-Repp, “Kosovo-IOM and NGO Programme in Kosovo with Women Victims <strong>of</strong>
Trafficking,” Note <strong>of</strong> Meeting, 15 July 2001.
27 C. Gall, “Macedonia Village Is Center <strong>of</strong> Europe Web in Sex Trade,” New York Times, 28 July
2001.
28 IOM Quarterly Bulletin, 2000.
29 Gall, “Macedonia Village.”
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