18 October is the European Day Against Human Trafficking, understood as the criminal activity of recruiting and transporting people by force or threat for the purpose of exploitation. The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which entered into force in 2008, is the first international treaty that requires member states to ensure that victims receive compensation for the harm suffered; the only state not to have signed it is Russia. The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Greta) is tasked with ensuring that the convention is respected. In April 2021, the European Commission adopted a new strategy to combat the phenomenon.

Tratta di esseri umani — Human trafficking takes place, sadly, all over the world, Europe included © Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

The numbers of trafficking

Despite the efforts of the international community, the number of trafficking victims remains extremely high. There are more than 26,000 in Europe alone, 68 per cent of whom are female. 56 per cent come from third countries, and 46 per cent are subjected to sexual exploitation. In Italy, it is estimated that among the victims there are over 2,000 women.

Life is made of encounters: some can destroy your life, others can help you rebuild it.

Paloma

Giornata europea contro la tratta — The persecution of the Rohingya has left many women vulnerable to exploitation © Allison Joyce/Getty Images

The Win project for the integration of victims

There is a project called Win – Trafficked women integration – which works to promote the reintegration of women victims of trafficking into society and the world of work, raising awareness among the public and businesses in order to offer the women opportunities for redemption and renewal.

People tell me I'm a fragile woman; I know I'm strong.

Stella

For 18 October, the five associations responsible for Win produced the video Shifting, directed by Beniamino Barrese, which tells the stories of redemption of three women who were saved thanks to the project. For security reasons their names – Paloma, Stella and Leila – are fictitious, and the faces belong to three actresses who wished to contribute to the account. The events and testimonies are entirely real.

"Trafficking is a serious violation of human rights. Women who are victims of trafficking have the right to support and protection in order to integrate into our societies: this is the only long-term solution to preventing abuse." This is the view of the five organisations from three different countries: Spain, Bulgaria and Italy, with the Italian side involving Lule onlus and Energheia impresa sociale, as well as the Milan Provincial Fund for International Cooperation. Win, which runs for two years, is funded by the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

Now I have a job. I feel that I'm slowly becoming free again.

Leila

Giornata europea contro la tratta di esseri umani — Some women rescued by the Shakti Samuha association in Kathmandu, Nepal © Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

Results that give cause for hope

The project has benefited 57 women, 15 of them in our country, the latter of Nigerian origin and with an average age of between twenty and thirty. Win designed an individual integration plan for each of them, comprising language courses and vocational training, before helping them to find employment — all with psychological and legal support guaranteed throughout.

13 out of 15 women managed to secure regular employment or a paid internship. Many of us have started our careers with an internship. And the hope is that, for these courageous women, it represents the end of a nightmare and the beginning of a new life.

Day against trafficking, the testimonies of three women who have started a new life