Understanding human trafficking problem in capitalist era: an anthropological perspective

Human trafficking, especially trafficking of women and children, is a repulsive and increasingly worrying phenomenon. The occurrence of trafficking is facilitated by globalization, modern technologies and circumstances in the contemporary capitalistic society. This compels human beings into involuntary acts such as forced labor, prostitution, and makes victims of psychological and physical abuse. Human trafficking deprives people of their human rights and freedom; it is also a global health risk due to infectious diseases like AIDS, etc. No nation is immune from the curse of human trafficking. Recently, trafficking in women and children has become a painful reality in Bangladesh. It has been occurring internally and also across the border in India, Pakistan, U.A.E. and many other countries. Every year hundreds of women and children are being trafficked abroad and these large numbers of victims of trafficking are being forced to adapt with the culture of human trafficking. This illegal trade is appalling and morally unacceptable, yet this exists in our society. An attempt has been made to conceptualize the human trafficking problem from anthropological point of view in this paper, and to justify the standpoint the author argues that functioning of trafficking is meeting the demands of the capitalistic society and that is why human trafficking, especially women and children trafficking, is dominant in the present day capitalist society.