Global Call to Safeguard Women in Sport: Mission 89, United Nations Demand Urgent Action Against Trafficking and Exploitation

As part of efforts to develop strategies against the trafficking and exploitation of women in sports, a gathering of prominent international representatives, such as diplomats, UN agencies, athletes, and legal experts, took place during the 59th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The high-level side event, titled “Safeguarding Women in Sport: Global Action Against Trafficking and Exploitation,” was hosted by Mission 89, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta, and the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica.

As a multi-billion-dollar global industry with transformative potential for youth development and gender equality, sport is also increasingly being exploited by transnational trafficking networks.

According to the 2024 UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, women and children make up the majority of identified victims, and there is a disturbing upward trend in trafficking cases linked to athletic recruitment, particularly in the Global South. The UN General Assembly’s Resolution 78/228 also echoed concern about this phenomenon, citing the need to improve coordination, data collection, and policy action across sport and migration systems.

A key highlight of the event was the formal presentation of the Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking, a groundbreaking study co-produced by Mission 89, Loughborough University, and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK.

The report provides the first globally recognised definition of sport trafficking aligned with the Palermo Protocol and offers a detailed analytical framework for governments, sport federations, and human rights institutions to identify, prevent, and respond to trafficking practices.

One of the most compelling aspects of the event was the inclusion of athletes whose lived experiences added depth and urgency to the conversation. Nigerian international and Al-Ittihad centre-back Ashleigh Plumptre shared her insights on the pressures faced by female footballers navigating contracts, migration, and power imbalances. Finnish goalkeeper Katriina Talaslahti, currently with Dijon FCO, underscored the need for international safeguarding systems, noting that women often face vulnerabilities that aren’t just physical, but systemic.

The keynote address, delivered by H.E. Professor Michel Veuthey of the Sovereign Order of Malta, emphasised the urgent need for cross-border cooperation and data-sharing frameworks to detect and prevent exploitation in transnational sporting contexts.

Key interventions were delivered by Dr. Marie-Laure Lemineur, Head of Safeguarding at FIFA, who presented FIFA’s latest safeguarding strategies and emphasised the role of federations in implementing athlete-centred protection. Others are Hon. Jared Okelo, Member of Parliament (Kenya), who called for legislative alignment between sport governance and national anti-trafficking laws and Ms. Céline Moreau, legal expert and former ILO officer.

With Switzerland preparing to host the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 in July, the side event provided a timely opportunity to engage stakeholders, spotlight vulnerabilities before a major women’s tournament, and build momentum for policy reform. The conveners called for immediate efforts to scale up public awareness campaigns like Mission 89’s #NotInOurGame, enhance legal identity protocols for athlete migration, and strengthen institutional safeguards through interagency cooperation.

The event successfully fulfilled its core objectives: raising awareness, fostering cross-sector dialogue, and proposing concrete next steps to tackle trafficking in sport. Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89, affirmed in her closing remarks: “Safeguarding women and girls in sport is not a side issue, as it is central to the future of sport as a force for good. With the tools, testimonies, and political will showcased today, we have the power to change the game.”

Download the Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking
[here]