Children and women in the counter trafficking discourse and practice: Reflections on the case of Djibouti

This research critically analyse the anti-trafficking discourse and counter trafficking practice in Djibouti. Children, women and refugees are categorized as people vulnerable to human trafficking in the anti-trafficking discourse in Djibouti, and migration control is legitimized as counter trafficking practice under the name of “protection” of these people. However such discourse and practice does not take into account the diversity of the people in Djibouti thus it could be counterproductive for them. It could deprive the opportunities for people, especially children and women, to migrate to improve their life circumstances.