A staggering 1.2 million people are trafficked every year worldwide, for sexual exploitation and forced labour.

A joint meeting of Labour Women and the Party of European Socialist Women to discuss the objectification of women is taking place at Leinster House today, and delegates will focus on how to deal with the issue of trafficking.

The event takes place to coincide with Ireland's presidency of the EU.

Labour MEP Emer Costello said a trafficking directive comes into law on the April 13th, and she wants Ireland to opt in.