in order to prevent abuses, especially exploitation, prostitution and coercive adoption, Recognizing the link between trafficking in women and girl children and some forms of sexual exploitation, including sex tourism, pornography, bride markers and prostitution, Convinced of the need to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and sexual trafficking, including for prostitution and other forms of commercial sex, which are violations of the human rights of women and girl children, Acknowledging that the problem of trafficking also victimizes young boys, Welcoming the convening of the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, which was held at Stockholm from 27 to 31 August 1996,39 and other conferences on trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation, Noting with satisfaction the commemoration of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on 6 December 1996 with a plenary meeting of the General Assembly devoted to the discussion of the problem of trafficking in human persons, in which a victim of trafficking participated, Realizing the urgent need for the adoption of effective measures at the national, regional and international levels to protect women and girl children from this nefarious traffic, 1. Expresses serious concern about the unabating traffic in women and girl children; 2. Calls for the acceleration of the implementation of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women40 by Governments of countries of origin, transit and destination and regional and international organizations as appropriate by: (a) Considering the ratification and enforcement of international conventions on trafficking in persons and on slavery; (b) Taking appropriate measures to address the root factors, including external forces, that encourage trafficking in women and girls for prostitution and other forms of commercialized sex, forced marriages and forced labour in order to eliminate trafficking in women, including by strengthening existing legislation with a view to providing better protection of the rights of women and girls and to punishing the perpetrators through both criminal and civil measures; (c) Stepping up cooperation and concerted action by all relevant law enforcement authorities and institutions with a view to dismantling national, regional and international networks in trafficking; (d) Allocating resources to provide comprehensive programmes designed to heal and rehabilitate into society victims of trafficking, including through job 39 See A/51/385. 40 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women ..., resolution I, annex II. -27-