A Gendered Perspective on Social Network-Based Human Trafficking Recruitment and Irregular Migration in Bangladesh

This study examines how social networks and intersecting micro- and macro-level factors shape the recruitment of human trafficking victims in Bangladesh. Based on 40 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, it explores how traffickers strategically exploit trust embedded in familial and community relationships to present trafficking as safe, legitimate migration. Grounded in social network theory and feminist perspectives on migration, the study conceptualizes recruitment as a socially embedded and gender-structured process rather than an act of overt coercion or deception. The findings reflect critical gendered variations in the factors influencing irregular migration. For men, micro-level factors include insolvency, family pressure, and personal strain, while limited opportunities, social expectations, and environmental disasters have emerged as macro-level factors in their recruitment. Conversely, women are primarily influenced by familial crises, gender inequality, and pervasive patriarchal norms, both at the micro and macro levels, limiting their agency and leading to risky migration decisions. These dynamics challenge dominant anti-trafficking frameworks that focus solely on overt coercion or deception, underscoring the need for community-embedded, gender-sensitive strategies. Overall, this research contributes to human trafficking literature by offering nuanced gendered insights into recruitment dynamics and providing several actionable policy implications.