Anti-Trafficking in Persons Project [through Coalition Against Trafficking in Women]

This project contests the increasing trend in Europe to separate prostitution and trafficking.

Both Bulgaria and Romania accede to the European Union in January 2007 and are now confronting the same pressures to legalize the sex industry as other new accession countries in Europe.

This proposal builds on a former CATW project implemented in 13 countries in Europe that addressed gaps in current anti-trafficking programs and policies by addressing gender equality, the demand, and the links between trafficking and prostitution.

Romania will implement media trainings; conduct seminars and trainings with representatives of key state institutions; draft and promote a new law on prostitution following the Swedish model; organize networks representing various political parties in the Romanian Parliament, as well lawyers and judges, able to contribute to the proposed legislation.

Bulgaria will conduct round tables to examine the obstacles to successful implementation of the Bulgarian Law for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings; hold a seminar focused on links between trafficking and prostitution with MPs, representatives of governmental institutions, local authorities and NGOs; and conduct public awareness campaigns.

Finally, a public conference will be organized with Bulgarian and Romanian authorities/MPs and institutions and international experts to address legalization trends, the demand and to create future actions.