The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) is one of the oldest international organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and girls.

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It was founded in 1988 in New York following the First Global Conference Against Trafficking in Women, which brought together activists, scholars, and advocates from around the world. Key founders included Kathleen Barry and Dorchen Leidholdt, along with other international women’s rights advocates.

 

They recognized that trafficking was a global issue affecting women across many countries and that a permanent organization was needed to address it.

CATW was created to coordinate research, education, advocacy, and international policy action to combat trafficking and sexual exploitation worldwide.