Central Asia and Eastern Europe
are experiencing the fastest growth in HIV/AIDS
infection- Worst affected are the Russian
Federation, Ukraine, and the Baltic States, while
the most recent outbreaks are in Central Asia. In
2003, the region reported 30,000 AIDS-related deaths
and 230,000 new infections. A million and a half
people are living with HIV/AIDS.
80% of people living with
HIV/AIDS in the region are under 30, compared to
Western Europe and the United States, where only 30%
of HIV cases are among people under 29.
Use of drugs, alcohol and
prostitution among teenagers on the rise. The
majority of Chechnya's 10,000 drug users are under
30
Trafficking
According to the
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in
Europe, 200,000 individuals are trafficked
annually from eastern Europe- most of them
children.
Girls as young as 13 (mainly
from Asia and Eastern Europe) are trafficked as
"mail-order brides." Their real destinations are
brothels and Germany, Greece and Italy in
Western Europe. In most cases these girls and
women are powerless and isolated and at great
risk of violence. Trafficking always violates
the child's right to grow up in a family
environment.
Sickening reality; girls
trafficked to Italy can be bought for between
$2,500 and $4,000, with up to $10,000 being paid
if she is a virgin (2003 UNICEF report)
In 2002,
the UK Government reported that in the previous
18 months it had dealt with more than 240 cases
of forced marriage
