Exploring the socio-economic vulnerability model: a multi-stakeholder analysis of women’s trafficking in Bangladesh

Abstract

Human trafficking remains a pervasive global problem, with women being disproportionately vulnerable due to intersecting socioeconomic and gendered inequalities. While scholars have examined trafficking drivers, a comprehensive account of how these factors interact is limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating the root causes of women’s trafficking in Bangladesh using a multi-stakeholder qualitative approach. It departs from dominant research by focusing on the perspectives of diverse anti-trafficking actors and developing a systemic understanding of the forces that shape women’s susceptibility to trafficking. The findings highlight the interplay of poverty, unemployment, and rural–urban migration with deceptive recruitment tactics, demonstrating how structural economic precarity is compounded by patriarchal norms and discriminatory practices. These dynamics not only intensify women’s risk of exploitation but also constrain opportunities for recovery. To capture this complexity, this study introduced the socioeconomic vulnerability (SEV) model, which illustrates the cyclical relationship between socioeconomic hardship, gendered inequality, and trafficking vulnerability. The SEV model underscores the urgency of holistic interventions that address root causes, promote women’s empowerment, reduce economic disparities, and provide support for sustainable reintegration. Such measures are vital for improving resilience and long-term recovery among trafficking survivors.