Stop child and youth sex traffic and exploitation in Ukraine

Stop child and youth sex traffic and exploitation in Ukraine.

"Ukrainian officials have warned that human trafficking threatens to become a major problem for the ex-Soviet republic, and appealed for more international efforts to stop it."

"Activists attending a major conference by the International Council of Women say official statistics on human trafficking in Ukraine - and elsewhere - belie the true scope of the problem."

"Ukraine is one of world supplier of slaves. Official statistics do not show real figures for us," said Alina Komarova, deputy head of the National Council Of Ukraine's Women.

"The sale of young girls and women, sex and economic slavery are part of an international criminal business that has taken root in Ukraine," Yuriy Pavlenko, head of a state council to combat human trafficking, told the 31st session of the council's General Assembly."

"It spreads fast ... It demands joint efforts and active cooperation from all governments and societies," he said.

About 300 activists from 22 countries came to Ukraine for assembly of the council, a group that works to prevent discrimination and violence against women.

Ukraine remains a primary source for men, women and children trafficked to Europe, the Middle East and Russia for sexual exploitation and forced labour, officials say. Low salaries and unemployment force thousands of Ukrainians to seek employment abroad, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.