Group: Kieala V. Emily L
Issue: Human Trafficking (sex slavery)
Defender: Juliana Dogbadzi
Country: Ghana
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1, 2, 3, and 4
Human Trafficking violates article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in which "All human beings are born free and equal. You are worth the same, and have the same rights as anyone else. You are born with the ability to think and to know right from wrong, and should act toward others in a spirit of friendliness." Within article 2, it states "Everyone should have all the rights and freedoms in this statement, no matter what race, sex, or color he or she may be. It shouldn't matter where you were born, what language you speak, what religion you are, what political opinions you have, or whether you're rich or poor. Everyone should have all of the rights in this statement." Additionally, it violates articles 3 and 4 which apply to slavery and the right to be free. Verifying "the buying and selling of human beings should be prevented at all times" this article contradicts the act of Trokosi. In article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it further explains the rights to live a decent life. These rights include food, clothes, and medical care for your family. Sex slaves are denied these basic human rights.
Despite ancient cultural practices and the incentive for economic greed, organizations along with government programs, and individual activists attempt to stop the spread of human trafficking. From rural areas submerged in the depths of poverty in western and northern Africa, to the sweatshops, factories, and brothels in India and southeast Asia, the ancient practice of slavery and human trafficking are still very much alive. In the world, there exists some 27 million people who are held in some form of slavery, either for forced labor and/or prostitution. As most trafficking victims originate from poorer, underdeveloped countries, traffickers coerce their victims through the false promise of a better life or for job opportunities. Along with manipulation and physical abuse, traffickers confiscate their victims' passports to restrict their options in the case that they escape. The perpetrators behind this intricate scheme hide their heinous crimes under businesses such as nail salons or party planning services. Therefore, it is difficult for authorities to tract them down and prosecute them. Furthermore, there exists the challenge of cultural differences. In some cultures, such as the Ghanian practice of Trokosi, the exploitation of people is accepted as a spiritual necessity. As cultural traditions, such as Trokosi, has existed for centuries, coupled with its strong ties to native religious and spiritual beliefs, it is difficult for any government inference.
While some activists get involved with a controversial issue out of awareness of empathy, many become recognized as defenders of liberty through a personal experience that pivoted into a turning point in their life. Juliana Dogbadzi dedicated her life to the issue of human trafficking as a result of her own experience with slavery. From a young age, the native Ghanian became a victim of Trokosi, a ritual in which young girls are used as compensation for crimes committed by their relatives. While enslaved at a shrine, she endured countless physical abuse and rape. Although she was originally terrified of defying her captor, she ended up escaping three times. The first in which she was utterly betrayed by her own family, the second where she became pregnant with her first child, and the third she was freed. Juliana has demonstrated that the most effective turning point is a personal one. The unfathomable trauma she survived through has pushed her to reach out to other victims. It has influenced her to protect young girls and fight against the system that she so long feared. Now she visits places where human trafficking takes place, such as shrines, and coordinates programs that aim to help trauma victims. In having personal experiences with the issue, she is better able to connect to the victims. Thus strengthening her influence and determination to fight against human trafficking.
Issue: Human Trafficking (sex slavery)
Defender: Juliana Dogbadzi
Country: Ghana
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1, 2, 3, and 4
Human Trafficking violates article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in which "All human beings are born free and equal. You are worth the same, and have the same rights as anyone else. You are born with the ability to think and to know right from wrong, and should act toward others in a spirit of friendliness." Within article 2, it states "Everyone should have all the rights and freedoms in this statement, no matter what race, sex, or color he or she may be. It shouldn't matter where you were born, what language you speak, what religion you are, what political opinions you have, or whether you're rich or poor. Everyone should have all of the rights in this statement." Additionally, it violates articles 3 and 4 which apply to slavery and the right to be free. Verifying "the buying and selling of human beings should be prevented at all times" this article contradicts the act of Trokosi. In article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it further explains the rights to live a decent life. These rights include food, clothes, and medical care for your family. Sex slaves are denied these basic human rights.
Despite ancient cultural practices and the incentive for economic greed, organizations along with government programs, and individual activists attempt to stop the spread of human trafficking. From rural areas submerged in the depths of poverty in western and northern Africa, to the sweatshops, factories, and brothels in India and southeast Asia, the ancient practice of slavery and human trafficking are still very much alive. In the world, there exists some 27 million people who are held in some form of slavery, either for forced labor and/or prostitution. As most trafficking victims originate from poorer, underdeveloped countries, traffickers coerce their victims through the false promise of a better life or for job opportunities. Along with manipulation and physical abuse, traffickers confiscate their victims' passports to restrict their options in the case that they escape. The perpetrators behind this intricate scheme hide their heinous crimes under businesses such as nail salons or party planning services. Therefore, it is difficult for authorities to tract them down and prosecute them. Furthermore, there exists the challenge of cultural differences. In some cultures, such as the Ghanian practice of Trokosi, the exploitation of people is accepted as a spiritual necessity. As cultural traditions, such as Trokosi, has existed for centuries, coupled with its strong ties to native religious and spiritual beliefs, it is difficult for any government inference.
While some activists get involved with a controversial issue out of awareness of empathy, many become recognized as defenders of liberty through a personal experience that pivoted into a turning point in their life. Juliana Dogbadzi dedicated her life to the issue of human trafficking as a result of her own experience with slavery. From a young age, the native Ghanian became a victim of Trokosi, a ritual in which young girls are used as compensation for crimes committed by their relatives. While enslaved at a shrine, she endured countless physical abuse and rape. Although she was originally terrified of defying her captor, she ended up escaping three times. The first in which she was utterly betrayed by her own family, the second where she became pregnant with her first child, and the third she was freed. Juliana has demonstrated that the most effective turning point is a personal one. The unfathomable trauma she survived through has pushed her to reach out to other victims. It has influenced her to protect young girls and fight against the system that she so long feared. Now she visits places where human trafficking takes place, such as shrines, and coordinates programs that aim to help trauma victims. In having personal experiences with the issue, she is better able to connect to the victims. Thus strengthening her influence and determination to fight against human trafficking.