E/2003/27 E/CN.6/2003/12 information to the public on women’s rights and the remedies available for violations of those rights. Involving men and boys in programmes to eliminate violence against women was considered essential. 6. Participants highlighted another form of violence that in the past ten years had reached worldwide proportions, namely trafficking in women and girls. Trafficking was acknowledged as a serious problem for countries of origin, transit and destination. Although initiatives had been taken to combat it, there was no evidence of a decrease in the phenomenon. 7. It was noted that the traditional law enforcement approach, based on bar raids by the police, was ineffective and counter-productive as it pushed trafficking deeper underground, making it impossible to gain access to trafficked women and girls, who were viewed as criminals rather than victims. The need to take a human rights approach to trafficking was underscored, especially in respect of strategies to identify and assist victims. Clear instructions for the police on how to treat actual and potential victims of trafficking were required, and cooperation between police and specialized non-governmental organizations in the victim identification process was considered essential. 8. The reintegration of victims of trafficking was discussed. Participants called for the provision of psychological support for victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as sustained economic and social support, including vocational training, the provision of jobs, microcredit and housing. Reintegration assistance had to be available to all returning victims of trafficking. 9. Participants recognized that non-governmental organizations had done a lot of work to combat trafficking but lacked capacity and resources, both of which should be strengthened. However, systems of long-term assistance to victims and integration programmes were possible only if Governments played the leading role in anti-trafficking activities, including through development and coordination of national plans of action to combat trafficking, which should involve governmental and non-governmental actors, at both national and international levels. 10. Participants stressed the need to address the root causes of trafficking, including the economic situation of countries of origin, especially countries with economies in transition where changes in the economic structure had had a predominantly negative impact on women. Effective prosecution measures were necessary, and ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, which supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, should be encouraged. 11. Participants also underlined that women and girls were particularly vulnerable to all forms of violence and other human rights violations during armed conflict, and that special attention had to be given to their situation. 12. During the discussion, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was given particular attention. It was noted that some progress had been made in its implementation at the national level, particularly in the areas of new legislation, growing awareness and sensitivity, and the strengthening of national machineries for the advancement of women. However, participants stressed that States were far from having reached a shared notion of women’s human rights as contained in the Convention, the Beijing Platform for 52