Thank You to the Men

Tonight I participated in a pilot program of Jewish Women International's (JWI) Safe Smart Dating program that will soon be brought to Sigma Delta Tau sorority and Zeta Beta Tau fraternity on campuses nationwide. The program approaches the issues of dating abuse and sexual assault by teaching about different types of abuse, the signs of abuse and how we can help reduce the prevalence of sexual assault and dating abuse in our communities.

While the information presented was striking, much of it I have heard before in other sexual assault awareness trainings. What struck me most about the evening was the prevalence of men in the room. Of 8 university students piloting the program, half the students were men. Considering global women's issues is the focus of this blog, I rarely take the time to mention the men who are helping to mitigate issues women face in their communities. This is not to say that men do not experience dating abuse or sexual assault; however, according to national surveys presented in JWI's program, women tend to make up more victims of sexual assault and dating abuse than men.

The motivation of these men to pilot a dating abuse program impressed me, but the actions they have already taken to help end sexual violence impressed me even more. Three out of four of the boys present were members of GW Men of Strength, a George Washington University student organization focused on mobilizing university men to combat cultures of violence on campus, with an emphasis on violence against women.

Piloting the Safe Smart Dating program alongside men who are as invested in combatting violence against women as I am was a unique and rewarding experience. While I so often talk to my male friends on campus about global women's issues, they often see it as just that--a woman's issue. The nature of framing problems such as gender-based violence, human trafficking, maternal mortality, etc. as global women's issues is that men hear "women" and assume these issues do not pertain to them.

However, as Hillary Clinton once said, "Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights." Similarly global women's issues are not just women's issues but issues of humanity; and in regards to tonight's program, violence against women is a problem of humanity as well.

Thank you to the men who came out tonight to JWI's Safe Smart Dating Program. I hope as I continue to fight for women's rights that I meet more men like you who realize women's issues are human issues, and who are speaking out against injustice to bring about change.

Woman of the Week: Linor Abargil

Linor Abargil

A few months ago, I returned from studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. While away, I was able to complete three portraits. Three portraits, in four-and-a-half months, and in a new environment was more than I had hoped for. I had been nervous that I would lose motivation to paint and keep up with my blog while abroad. However, it seemed the opposite occured.

The real challenge, I discovered, was coming home. After about a week with my family, I went straight to work at my internship in D.C. Although I was working for an organization that helped women worldwide lead change in their communities, I did little blogging, and even less painting. I was meeting and learning about so many amazing women throughout the day, yet was producing nothing. I made lists of women I wanted to paint and post about, but actually creating content felt like pulling teeth.

I thought I had lost my spark; I honestly didn't know if I would ever produce another painting; and then I felt guilty and responsible to all those who looked to me as an example of someone striving to make a difference.

In the beginning of summer, I had the chance to meet former Miss World Linor Abargil as she toured cross country to promote her new film "Brave Miss World". Linor, crowned Miss Israel in 1998, was raped in Italy by an Israeli travel agent just two months before being crowned Miss World. After returning to Israel, Linor pressed charges against her rapist and became a symbol of hope for other victims of domestic violence and abuse. By encouraging other victims to speak out, Linor challenged the culture of silence that allows injustices against women to persist.

Linor was at the top of my list of women to paint. I was eager to share her story and the trailer for her film that moved me deeply. When I began to form her right eye, I thought I saw her peeking through the blank watercolor paper. But then I began the nose, and I lost her. She slipped through the strokes and I couldn't find Linor no matter how many layers of paint I added to bring her back. Linor's portrait was the longest one I took to produce. And I grew anxious when I thought I might have to give up.

However, about a month after beginning the painting, I can finally and happily say Linor is complete. Linor's strong will and passion for change helped me remain focused on my ultimate goal: to share Linor's story and pay tribute to her through my artwork. I am so grateful to Linor for helping me reclaim my spark and for her unwavering dedication to women and girls around the world.

Below is the trailer for "Brave Miss World":

Recap: Malala Day

While I'm in the habit of posting videos, I feel compelled to share with you Malala Yousafzai's recent address to the UN on Malala Day. I have been meaning to write about Malala Day since before Malala Day even occurred on July 12, 2013. I have been struggling with the exact words I want to say to express my appreciation and gratitude for such a courageous young woman who has inspired the world to act for girls' access to education worldwide.

Malala was the first woman I painted and her story jumpstarted my blog. Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani teenage girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban for challenging their doctrine and advocating for girls' education. She miraculously survived the murder attempt against her and has made a full recovery. On July 12, 2013, Malala turned 16 and on her birthday she addressed the UN and viewers worldwide of the struggle for girls' empowerment and education around the world.

On July 12, my fellow interns and I gathered around a computer in our office to view the live online streaming of Malala's speech at the UN. Malala spoke eloquently, confidently, and with a sense of maturity that deceived her 16-year-old body. Her words were profound and her fight just. Despite her voice being projected through a computer speaker, I felt her presence in the room. "Malala Day is not my day: today is the day of every woman, every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights," she announced. These were words of Malala's first public speech calling upon the world to act and they have yet to lose their fervor. 

Highlight: "Honor Diaries" Documentary

Thank you Uncle Steve for forwarding this documentary trailer my way.

The film "Honor Diaries" features 9 women from societies with large Muslim populations in their fight to secure their human rights as women. The film approaches issues such as forced marriage, sexual abuse, female genital mutilation, the right to education and the right to move freely from place to place. "Honor Diaries" is amplifying the voices of women around the world that have gone unheard and bringing attention to issues that plague over half of the world's population.

I can't wait to see this film in full.

The Power of Human Agency

I have to admit that I haven't always been an active American citizen. In fact, I haven't always been an active world citizen. Before reading Half the Sky, I had little concept of what was going on in the world, and if I did, I felt that I had too little knowledge to contribute to any conversation meaningfully. So in turn, I remained silent, and I put all my trust in world leaders that they would lead my life accordingly.

I distinctly remember the time I stood in the back of a small crowd of university students fighting for lower tuition in front of our campus library. I stumbled upon the procession and listened to a student speak about the calamity of high tuition. I lingered in the back watching the scene. Coming from a privileged family, I never worried about my tuition. I didn't track how money for books or classes were increasing each year because I deferred that responsibility to my parents who were always there with financial support. I was uninformed and felt like a phony in the gathering of people. The crowd began to chant a demand for lower tuition, and I slowly shrunk away and returned home, too embarrassed to join in.

I never followed up with the movement for lower tuition on my campus, mostly because I didn't imagine anything would come from it.

Until I had spent a good four-and-a-half months in South Africa did I come to realize civil society's place in the world. I learned more about the drive for human agency and the ability of a unified movement to bring about change.

South Africa spent decades under an apartheid regime, which divided the country based on race. The white minority ruled over Coloureds, Africans, and Indians. People of "inferior" races were forcibly removed from their homes, forced to carry passes around detailing their identity; they were pushed to the outskirts of society and denied their basic human rights. Nelson Mandela became an international hero as he brought worldwide attention to the injustices of the apartheid regime and organized a non-violent movement for justice among Africans, Indians and Coloureds. He became the first black president of the country and stepped down after one term to give others the chance to lead and follow in his footsteps.

Unfortunately, South Africa's government today, in certain parts of the country, remains corrupt, and the nation is left with many problems. The government-promised houses for shack dwellers in townships have taken years to manifest. One girl I met seemed hopeful despite the 16-year-period her family has been waiting for a house. In other parts of the country, the environment has felt the brunt of mining development in regions rich with indigenous vegetation and wildlife. However, South Africans understand the importance of human agency, considering it was only a few decades ago when community action successfully ousted the oppressive apartheid regime. South Africans strike for higher wages, organize to protect the environment and challenge legislation to bring about positive change.

A South African friend of mine's little sister was singing the South African National Anthem at home when she got to the line "let us live and strive for freedom". In her ten-year-old naivety, Michal sang out "let us live and STRIKE for freedom". We all laughed, though her South African parents laughed the most because they knew it was true. Striking, as a tool for justice, was and remains a part of South African culture. My last three weeks of volunteering in Cape Town were cancelled due to bus strikes. Although, I was upset to no longer be volunteering in the townships, bus drivers' wages increased, and I saw firsthand the power of collective human agency.

Upon returning home to America, I realized how naive I was to be absent from the decision-making processes in my home country. I realized how irresponsible it is to believe my country would always act in my best interest and that of humanity's. I began to see the danger of ignorance and how by remaining silent, I could potentially be supporting an oppressive regime.

As I read more and learn more, I have discovered how unified action to fight for civil rights, women rights, LGBT rights, and even action to reduce school tuition or increase wages can change our world. Without human agency, segregation could still exist, people with disabilities could still be ostracized, women could still be excluded from politics (not to say these issues have been perfectly fixed either).

Recently, a hospital in Zimbabwe decided to charge women five dollars for every time they screamed during labor. Why? Because their scream signaled a "false alarm". This decision enraged me, disgusted me, but I left it for what it was. Thankfully, others didn't. Transparency International, a non-profit fighting against corruption in governments around the world, talked with Zimbabwe's National Health Industry. About a week after I heard about the five dollar charge, I learned of its removal from hospital policy. This unfair charge seemed easily overturned and I realized I could potentially have done exactly what Transparency International had succeeded to do. This small success made towards justice strengthens my conviction that I have the ability to provoke change as well.

From protests on campus to strikes in South Africa to international intervention in Zimbabwe, I have seen how speaking up and standing up can make an impact. I see that we all have power as human beings to bring about change. Yet, we forfeit that power when we forfeit our belief that, as an individual, we matter. It is imperative we realize our worth; there is no time for so much human potential to go untapped.

Highlight: Girl Rising

If you ever questioned the value of girls' education, ponder no more. 10x10's "Girl Rising", a new documentary depicting the lives of 9 impoverished girls from across the world, reveals how educating girls can ultimately change "everything". From helping the economy to decreasing the chances of disease, educating girls has immeasurable impact on a global scale.

The documentary illustrates the personal stories of Ruksana, Suma, Yasmin, Senna, Azmera, Amina, Wadley, Mariama and Sokha and the struggles they face in their communities to achieve an education. Challenging cultural norms, tradition and poverty, these girls rise above it all to create better lives for themselves.

The movie is filled with interesting and important facts regarding girls' education. 10x10's "10 Facts About Girl's Education" is just a sample of some of the startling statistics about girls and education that are featured in the documentary.

I highly recommend attending a screening of "Girl Rising" to learn more about the power of education as a tool in bettering our world.

Aid in Action

We so often hear about development initiatives and projects launched abroad to help end poverty, eradicate disease, or reduce violence, but rarely do we get to see those projects in action in the countries they have reached and in the hands of those they have impacted. I was lucky enough to witness the use and benefit of Unicef's Sara Communication Initiative. While volunteering at Ons Plek girl's home in Woodstock, South Africa, a student of mine picked up one of the "Sara" books from a stack of about 20 available in the home. In comic book format, the books delve into issues such as HIV/AIDS, genital cutting, early marriage and violence against women. The dense topics explored are complimented with simple story lines centered around Sara, her friends and the issues at hand that are relatable and easy to follow.

My student handed me one of Sara's stories to read after she professed that they were some of her favorite books in the home. When I read about the Sara Communication Initiative on the inside cover, I was in awe of being at the receiving end of international aid. The books had reached their proper destination and were welcomed by the girls in need of their message. Watching my student relax in her seat with Sara's story open before her eyes was a surreal sight. In that moment, I could feel the smallness of the world and how connected we all truly are. Our efforts are going places and actually reaching people. Thank you Unicef for following through on your efforts and inspiring me that we can truly reach those in need.

Woman of the Week: Farnaz Seifi

Farnaz Seifi

I was drawn to Farnaz Seifi's story because much like me, she is a blogger. However, while my blog serves as a form of advocacy, her blog is a form of resistance. Seifi formally lived in Iran before fleeing the country in 2007. Her blog, "Amshaspandan", that advocated for women's rights in Iranian society was shut down by the government shortly after it began. Her progressive ideas were met with death threats and harassment. Despite the government's opposition, Seifi managed to create an online magazine that addressed issues regarding women in Iran. She refused to stunt the magazine's production against government orders ultimately leading to her arrest and later fleeing of the country.

Farnaz Seifi has since worked in Holland on the "Deutsche Welle Persian" program as a producer as well as in Paris with "Reporters Without Borders". She continues to blog anonymously in order to protect her family still living in Iran.

I find it amazing that after threat upon threat, after being forced to flee her home country, Seifi still persists in fighting for women's rights. She has never faltered in what she believes in.

Blogging for me is easy. I'm not worried that the government is going to show up at my door, kidnap me and throw me in jail. I am pretty sure the government would give me a thumbs up for effort and go on with their day. Reading a story like Seifi's makes me realize how lucky I am to be able to write what I feel and become an agent for change in a democratic country. Seifi is risking everything to blog and expose the injustices of women in her country. She is the epitome of brave and serves as an inspirational leader paving the way towards change.

Don't let her story become a number, and don't let numbers discourage your fight.

I vaguely remember the classroom. I remember Eva being there, but I can't quite remember the other girls. We played with one of those miniature plastic kitchen sets they place in all preschool classrooms. I couldn't say who played with what or even how I felt about our imaginary games; all I have is a faint picture of pastel yellows, blues and pinks, faceless silhouettes, and an open door leading to a dark hallway. For now, this is my first memory I can recall. Me, at 4 years old.

My five year old self is not so hard to place. I remember the halls of Woodland Elementary; I remember pooping my pants, waddling to the bathroom, and then putting my underwear in the hamper when I got home believing my mom wouldn't notice (she never did say anything); I remember receiving an honorable mention in the school art contest and having my picture hang on the wall; I remember Tommy who taught me how to braid my hair and wrote my name all over his notebooks. I could go on about having my school picture taken, almost accidentally stealing a book from the library, playing with Kristen's hair during story time, but I won't get carried away.  

When I read online that a four-year-old girl was raped in India and had passed away this week, I thought the article made a typo and miscalculated her age. Only a few weeks earlier had a five-year-old girl been raped and was in critical condition. Surely, this article must be referring to the same girl. But as I read on, I realized this was not true. Here was another girl, another name, another family, another heartbreak, another protest, another day in India. Rape. Rape. Rape. Multiplying like fruit flies. 

The gang rape and brutal murder of a 23-year-old female medical student in India shook the world in outrage just a few months ago. Protesters were rampant across India crying for justice and safety for women. Did these cries fall on deaf ears? Did they fall on the wrong ears? Because here we are, months later, in the same predicament. 

I can't help but think about my earliest childhood memory and wonder if that four-year-old girl ever had a chance to store one of her own before she was erased from the earth. And the five-year-old girl, what memories had she been holding onto before her murderer suffocated any chance of future reminiscence. 

I am not yet 23, but can only imagine the 18 good years of memories that were shut out for that medical student. Gone like a smothered flame. 

What's the point here? I'm not so sure myself. I sit halfway across the world, typing a blog post in order to attempt to process the grotesque actions of certain individuals on this earth. I guess what I want to say to you is this: don't let her story become a number and don't let numbers discourage your fight. 

Today is the story of a four-year-old girl. Tomorrow's story is out of our control. Another rape does not mean we have lost, it means this war is not yet over. 

Woman of the Week: Eliza Maganga Nsese

Eliza Maganga Nsese

Her name is Eliza. It is unlikely anyone really knows about her, except for the pilot’s that used her and the producers and viewers of the documentary, “Darwin’s Nightmare”. She is just another face forgotten, another woman lost in the sex industry. She was only in three short scenes in the documentary I watched in my “Poverty, Development and Globalisation” class. In the first scene, Eliza is singing a song about her home country Tanzania; she is sitting before a Ukrainian pilot who used her as his girlfriend while away from home. The next scene is of her alone, sharing her desire to go back to school, if she had the means. The last scene is the same as the first scene. However, this time, Eliza is seen singing on a handheld video camera rather than in person. The people holding the camera are Eliza’s friends; they are mourning her death. Eliza was murdered by one of her foreign clients.

I can't imagine Eliza's story being unique in Tanzania. If the makers of "Darwin's Nightmare" hadn't captured her on film, she would be forgotten alongside other women used and thrown away like commodities. Her friends would have mourned, but perhaps never challenged her fate. The documentary proves that Eliza exists. That her story will not be lost; her story will live on and change us. I still struggle to get the song she sang in the video out of my head. She had a beautiful voice and a playful air. And then she was gone with no repercussions for her murderer. I wrote the poem below to commemorate Eliza:

"Dear Eliza"

You endured

The grimy slug who flies to receive but never to give

With drunken breaths and tipsy words

Thrown upon your lean shoulders

Ukrainian Fat

You resist with your body, but not with your heart

You are nothing to him

But a pilot whore

Truth you hide behind laugh and smiles

As you sway on singing

“Tanzania Tanzania

Nakupenda kwa moyo wote (I love you with all my heart)

Nchi yangu Tanzania (My country Tanzania)

Jina lako ni tamu sana (Your name is very sweet)”

In a raspy tone

Like sandpaper dipped in honey

The Australian one did not love your song

Nor your country

He took from your seas and left your people hungry

Invasive like the Nile Perch

Destroying others to feed himself

 You were but a small fish

For him to eat for one night’s pleasure

Leaving no remains but bones

Your song an epithet written upon your grave

 “Nilalapo nakuota wewe (When I sleep I dream of you)

Niamkapo ni heri mama wee (When I wake I am at peace)

Tanzania Tanzania

Nakupenda kwa moyo wote (I love you with all my heart)”

Woman of the Week: Louise Shelley

Louise Shelley

The past few weeks have been busy here in South Africa. I have slowly but surely been getting through Louise Shelley's book, Human Trafficking: A Global Perspective. I wouldn't consider it necessarily a light read and people often look concerned when they see me cuddled up on the couch reading about one of the biggest injustices performed against humanity in our lifetime. However, Shelley's book is necessary in understanding human trafficking as a whole. She takes readers through every region of the world and the tactics and business methods used by those regions as well as the after effects and consequences of human trafficking on individuals and the world as a whole. One of her most poignant points that has resonated with me, is that we cannot assume human trafficking is the same everywhere. In order to stop human trafficking, we must understand the business models behind the trade specific to each location. Russian trafficking is different than Asian trafficking, which is different than American trafficking.

Louise Shelly has worked tirelessly to stop transnational crime and terrorism. It is clear,  by even glancing at her book, that she has spent immense time researching human trafficking in its full capacity. Her book not only serves as a source of detailed information about the trade, but also is a call to action: human trafficking needs to be on our agenda. I strongly suggest reading this book if you would like to get a more in depth view into the world of human trafficking. Thank you Louise Shelley for your hard work and dedication!

Happy Holidays

Today, I am heading off to Johannesburg to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. I just wanted to say happy holidays to all my Jewish and non-Jewish readers. Passover signifies the period in history where the Israelites were freed from their bondage in Egypt. In celebrating this holiday in 2013, let us not only look to the past and remember the slavery that once was, but be aware of the present and all those who are currently enslaved. As we taste the salt water to represent the tears of our ancestors and eat the bitter herbs to represent the bitterness of our time of slavery, let us be reminded that the tears have not ceased to fall, the bitterness has not yet wane. Use this holiday time to reflect on the action you will take for a brighter future this coming year, so that next holiday season, we can call slavery a thing of the past, once and for all.

Ons Plek: Day One

Yesterday was an incredible outing for me here in Cape Town. About a month ago, I discovered the organization "Ons Plek" through the One Billion Rising Campaign, an international campaign to raise awareness about violence against women. On Valentine's Day, among the various flash mobs taking place across South Africa and the world to draw attention to the issue, the girls at Ons Plek also were rising up to make a difference. Moments later, I was googling Ons Plek, reading about their work and contacting their office to become a volunteer.

The organization provides services and support for girls who would otherwise be living on the streets. Some may have been trafficked; some have run away; some have been referred. Typically the girls have run away to the city believing it will offer them better opportunities than those offered to them at home. The girls tend to have experienced sexual abuse and come from unhealthy households. Whatever the case, Ons Plek turns no girl away.

The girls are provided shelter, couseling, tutoring and a support system to turn to. Ons Plek makes sure not to inflate the luxuries of the girls so that life after Ons Plek does not appear to be a dissapointment. They intend to make life in the home similar to the one the girls will experience once they leave at 18 years old. Therefore, the house is basic, providing them with things they need rather than what they may want. The girls must tend to chores and take responsibility for their actions. Ons Plek wants the girls to become self sufficient and learn the skills to be independent, able and confident when they move on.

One of Ons Plek's main goals is to eventually reintegrate the girls back into their families. Depending on each girl's situation, Ons Plek will evaluate whether the home environment they have come from is safe for their return and begin a gradual process of reintroducing them into their home. If the immediate family is not an option, then perhaps a cousin, a gandparent or an aunt or uncle will become a part of this journey of reunification. Home visits are a gradual process and not all are successful in the end.

So, where do I come into play?

Yesterday was my interview with Yumna Van Der Shyff, the unit manager and volunteer coordinator of Ons Plek. I traveled to the city of Cape Town from my home in Rondebosch and meandered through the vibrant streets of Cape Town City Center towards Woodstock to reach the home of Ons Plek. The house looked ordinary, plain, simple. With no door bell, I called out through the metal bars blocking the open door to get inside. I waited for Yumna in a living room area where she quickly joined me to begin the interview process.

Yumna is a social worker who has been working at Ons Plek for many years. She is extremely knowlegable about the hardships and motives that lead girls to the streets and the services they need to recover from the trauma and the happenings that has led them to their current situation. She calmly spoke about death, drugs, rape and trafficking. She talked about what is good for the girls, what reinforces bad behavior, what reinforces trauma, what we must do to help effectively. She did not falter in her speech and I could hear the expertise in her voice and see it in her eyes. She knows this world, understands it. The girls at Ons Plek come first, and I was being tested.

At the end of the hour and a half I spent with Yumna, she invited me to return later in the afternoon to assist with homework help for the girls and see if Ons Plek is a fit for me. I was excited to begin my work, but also anxious about all the things we talked about. What if I made a wrong move, said something offensive without realizing and upset the girls upon meeting them? I have read so much about girls who have been abused and trafficked and the experiences of their lives swim in my head and motivate me to help but also remind me that my life is in no way relatable. Would I be able to make a connection with these girls? Would they trust me?

Yumna listened to my concerns and her advice was this: "When you walk in later today, forget everything you have read in all your books. Just remember, these are children--children who want attention and care as any other child".

I absorbed her words and calmed my nerves.

I took a short lunch break and returned to Ons Plek at 3:00 pm. I went upstairs to the homework room and delved right in. The girls were warm and friendly, eager for my help and grateful for my service. I felt comfortable right away. I helped 8-year old Michelle with her reading and writing (it reminded me of when my little sister was learning to read, but at that time I had no patience). I assisted Amelia in her addition problems, which she was super quick and accurate at completing. I ran the course of subjects from english to algebra II to physics to geometry making my way around the room and around the curves of my brain reaching into the drawers of my elementary, middle, high school and college education. I couldn't feel more priveledged for the education I had acquired over the years than in this moment. I had a resource that no one could take away. No matter how much I shared, my knowledge would not run out. And in this moment, I realized how valuble it was for these girls to have access to that same resource and how education would bring more opportunty to their lives.

Although my brain hurt a bit towards the end, I was happy to share, and I actually realized that the math, chemistry and biology classes I had taken in college weren't just a waste of time. I'm glad I decided to pay attention to those in the end. It is funny when certain things come in handy.

I left Ons Plek around 5:30 pm and headed back to Rondebosch eager to write Yumna that I was overjoyed to continue volunteering and working with Ons Plek. I barely know the girls, yet already miss them. I will continue working at the home until June and it is already difficult to realize that when I leave, I may never see the girls again.Yet I am comforted in knowing I will be a part of their journey. And they will be a part of mine as I work with them, learn from them, and fight for them and girls like them worldwide.

The Slave Lodge

“Slavery is the most extreme form of control and subjugation of one person by another; most often enforced through violence.

Slaves were usually acquired to provide labor and sometimes status for their owners; slaves were bought and sold as property.

The societies in which slaves lived accorded them few if any rights, while granting their owners almost unlimited power over them.

Slaves, especially those captured in war, were considered cultural outsiders. Even those enslaved through debt or born into slavery were usually treated as though they did not belong.

In many slave societies, including the Cape, slaves were denied the most basic rights, including the right to marriage and family life. Even children could be separated from their mothers and sold to new masters far away.”

-Slave Lodge, Cape Town, South Africa

I wrote this quote down during my first week in Cape Town, South Africa. My group toured the city and paid admission to see the “Slave Lodge”, a historic building once home to the slaves of the Cape. The living conditions were harsh and the treatment unbearable. Women were torn from their families and any children they had immediately acquired slave status. Slaves were publically hanged, tied up to trees and beaten, shackled to each other and bound up in packed rooms where they were kept with little to no sunlight.

Upon entering the Slave Lodge, I read this quote on the wall and couldn’t help but draw parallels between modern day slavery and the slavery that existed in Cape Town in the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Supposedly slavery was abolished in the 1800’s in South Africa. I believe when most people think of slavery, they imagine shackles, men working long hours in fields, whippings, beatings, and the hot sun. They imagine the Jews in Egypt or the slaves emancipated by Lincoln. All of these ideas conjure up images of history long gone. Few people realize the existence of slavery in the modern day. Every point made by the Slave Lodge quote remains applicable to the world even in the 21^st century.

The violence, the buying, the selling, the labor, the loss of rights, the inferior status all remain characteristics of the human trafficking epidemic that has plagued our century. Every aspect of slavery recognized by the Slave Lodge is still in affect in communities across the world. I believe this quote only emphasizes the gravity of this issue. People look at the past and our shocked by the inhumane treatment one race or nation casts upon another. However, when that same indignity exists in the world today, we are silent. We are unaware.

The issue of human trafficking should shock us just as much and even more than what lies in the past. To progress so much in some areas of society, such as technology and medicine, and then to realize we remain at a standstill in the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries when it comes to human rights is appalling. This is not the way it should be. Children should not be forced into child labor and women and girls should not be coerced into selling their bodies at the threat of personal injury.

This quote should not only serve as a reminder of the oppression that once was, it should serve as a wake up call to the world that the slavery we read about in history books and learn about in museums still exists today. And the presence of that slavery should shock us and compel us to act.

Woman of the Week: Rachel Lloyd

Rachel Lloyd

I remember the stress I experienced over deciding which college to go. I remember the stress of figuring out the rooming situation and which classes to take. Even now, I experience anxiety over which major to choose, which spring break trip to attend, which summer plans I should make. I am an indecisive person, so when faced with many choices, I typically run to my friends for advice, ask my mom a hundred times what I should do, and eventually make a decision only to find myself worrying still afterwards.

While sometimes I wish I was only given one option to make things easier, I now realize how lucky I am to have choices at all—and so many.

Many people have criticized Rachel Lloyd, founder of the non-profit GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services), for the choice she made that changed the course of her life.

Lloyd made a “choice” at sixteen to leave behind her home in England, and head to Germany to start a new life. She left a home where she played the role of guardian, paying the bills and caring for a mother who attempted suicide and was sinking into alcoholism. She also made a choice to work as a hostess at “Girls, Girls, Girls” when no other job in Germany would employ a sixteen year old. Her employment at the strip club soon led her into a life of commercial sexual exploitation and eventually into the hands of a pimp.

While I sit deciding which dress to wear, which meal to order, which country I should explore abroad, girls in America are making real “choices”. In fact, according to definition, they are not making “choices” at all.

As Lloyd elucidates, “in order for a choice to be a legitimate construct, you’ve got to believe that (a) you actually have possible alternatives, and (b) you have the capacity to weigh these alternatives against one another and decide on the best avenue.”

For Lloyd and many others, there are no alternatives—there is no best avenue.

Women across America are not making a “choice” to be in the life. They are in the life due to “a lack of choices”.

In her book, Girls Like Us, Rachel Lloyd reveals the complexities and stigmas women and girls face in America's sex industry. She addresses issues of race and poverty as she illuminates the girls who haven fallen between the cracks in terms of nationwide care and recognition leaving them helpless to the control and manipulation of pimps.

Lloyd began a non-profit in her early twenties called GEMS to serve girls in the sex industry that have no one to turn to. She points out that in terms of ending commercial sexual exploitation, we need to make sure we are asking the right questions.

“We ask questions such as, ‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’ and ‘Why would someone want to turn all of their money over to a pimp?’ instead of asking, ‘What is the impact of poverty on these children?’ ‘How do race and class factor into the equation?’ ‘Beyond their family backgrounds, what is the story of their neighborhoods, their communities, their cities?’” (Lloyd 34)

            The latter questions are crucial in understanding the nature of sexual slavery in order to help those most vulnerable and bring about solutions. 

At GEMS, the girls respect Lloyd and see her as a source of inspiration. Her job is exhausting, yet she remains true to every woman she helps—never giving up on her. Her words are profound as she delves into the reasons girls sometimes return to their pimps after experiencing abuse from them, why girls don’t turn to the police for help, why they don’t understand that they deserve better.

One quote that stuck with me comes from Lloyd’s interaction with a girl named Tiana at GEMS.

“I tell Tiana, that you’ve never seen a cow, never even seen a picture of one or had one described to you, and someone tells you that a horse is a cow. Of course you’ll believe them. If you haven’t had proper love and care, then a substitute will feel like the real thing, because you’ve got nothing to compare it to.” (Lloyd 59)

This analogy explains in such a simple way how girls can be easily swayed to think abuse is how you show love. They have never seen a healthy relationship; they have grown up in foster care or are sexually abused in the home. When pimps come around and promise girls of a better life, they believe them. And when the abuse and manipulation set in, girls might think it is a display of affection or that they deserve it. Some recognize the wrongdoings of pimps but are too afraid to leave and too ashamed to get help. Many times, girls have experienced sexual abuse their whole lives and are “prepared” in a way for what’s to come in the sex industry.

However, while it may seem that a certain type of person is duped into sexual slavery, Lloyd makes it clear that commercial sexual exploitation does not discriminate--truly anyone can be coerced despite his or her background.

GEMS is still up and running and serving girls across the country. Lloyd has provided girls with a “best avenue” for life alternative to the one they have experienced in the sex industry. She is saving women and making waves in American governmental policy to provide proper choices for girls whom never had any. Her victory over commercial sexual exploitation in her personal life and her determination to help others in similar situations is commendable. Rachel Lloyd is brilliant and truly understands the depth of the issue of human trafficking. Her book, Girls Like Us, is an amazing resource on the topic of sex trafficking in America. I highly suggest reading it as you will quickly learn why she is such an inspiration to me and girls nationwide.  

Redefining "Girl"

I sat on the porch of a flat in Plettenberg Bay on the coast of South Africa. The ocean petered in and out, the mountains rose above the clouds and the curve of coast wrapped around and hugged the waters in the distance. The view was stunning, the sun blinding, but my mind lingered elsewhere. The weight of Rachel Lloyd’s Girls Like Us sat heavy in my hands. 

A foreign backpacker wandered onto the porch to share a good morning. He asked me what I was reading and I began to recite the title until I was cut off. The word “girl” signaled to him a story about nail painting and shopping sprees and he proceeded to make a joke I honestly didn’t catch. I chuckled to be courteous but was determined to shock him with the truth that this book in no way invoked laughter. I hit him hard with the words “human trafficking” and I didn’t need to say much more before he corrected himself of his previous assumption.

I guess the intensity of the book had gotten to me and for people to see the word “girl” and associate it with something futile was irritating. The term “girl” should evoke strength, resilience, the ability to excel on the world stage and exceed gendered expectations. But I guess I am biased, only because the girls I have read about for the past few weeks embody all of these characteristics. They are everything but what this backpacker associated with the word “girl”.

However, at the same time, his reaction speaks to the innocence lost on victims of sexual slavery. We hear the world girl and associate it with dress up and barbies. Yet when we hear about girls in the sex industry, working on the streets since they were 12 years old, we don’t think of them in this light and gentle way. We don’t view them as “girls” because they are forced to act in ways that contradict the behavior we associate with children.

Rachel Lloyd highlights in her book how a "memo" written in opposition to the Safe Harbor for Exploited Youth Act referred to the girls in the bill as "young adults". The legal document had referred to them as children, yet the write up insisted in changing the wording. Why? Perhaps it was to make it easier to lay blame on the girls, to make them more responsible by making them seem more adult-like. Perhaps it was because a “girl” as we know one, would never choose a life on the streets. Whatever the case, the issue of seeing girls as girls no matter what circumstances they are in is real and complicates solutions for human trafficking. This discrepancy is partly responsible for the treatment of child victims of sexual exploitation as adult criminals. Law enforcement has neglected to see girls as “girls” and sometimes knowingly chooses not to to make their jobs easier (it is easier to lock girls up as adults rather than deal with social services).

When I was younger, I attempted to run away from home to make a statement. I walked out my front door and down the driveway until I realized no one noticed I had left and my plan had failed before it even took off. I returned home because I was honestly afraid to leave. I knew I had a family that loved and supported me and my cry for attention was an act of selfishness. But what about the girls leaving their homes out of desperation? What about those living in poverty, those who are abused, those for who home is not an option? Can we blame girls for their vulnerability, for believing some “john” is really going to save her life and not enslave her? Beneath the make-up, the short skirts, the seductive smiles are girls—girls who need help, girls manipulated and tricked into the life.

The world needs to look beyond race and socioeconomic status and realize that our ignorance towards sex trafficking is hurting children. By opening our eyes to this reality we can make changes and save girls. 

The Road of Lost Innocence

I haven't had the chance to get wifi in South Africa until today so I am posting now what I wrote a week ago on the plane. Enjoy! 

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I am currently mid-air, flying over the Atlantic on my way to South Africa. I’m not sure what time it is nor what time zone I am in. I haven’t stopped reading since I boarded the plane. Bits of prepared couscous dissolve in my mouth as I read the last few pages of Somaly Mam’s memoir, The Road of Lost Innocence. Part of me feels guilty even eating after reading the atrocities women in Cambodia have endured and continuously endure in the sex industry.

I remember Mam notes in one part of her book how she was shocked by the over indulgent meals of the French. The skin of the fish that her hosts tossed in the garbage could feed a whole family in Cambodia. Then I remembered the old saying my parent’s uttered when I didn’t eat my meal: “Finish the food on your plate. Children across the world are starving.” I always thought that saying was stupid. I was hundreds and thousands of miles from the children that needed it. What did it matter if I didn’t finish my food? But Mam made me realize there was more to that guilt-tripping adage. The saying wasn’t about shipping my leftovers to starving children in Africa; the saying was about awareness—awareness of a reality beyond my own. A reality that should have called me to action, should have shocked me rather than been passed off as a trite expression. Children across the world were starving. Not only for food, but for help.  

When I think of this expression today, I revert back to thinking without thinking, characterized by thoughts without meaning floating through one ear and out the other or evaporating upon entry to the brain. I don’t think too hard about what that must mean—to be starving—because to fully internalize that injustice, requires taking on responsibility. And it is easier to be ignorant than carry the weight of “other people’s problems” on your back knowing you have the power to do something about them. We may not be able to right every wrong in the world, at least right now, but we have a responsibility to advocate for and fight for change when injustice is served and we are aware of it.

I often contemplated growing up, why I was born in such a privileged time period. Why in my mother’s day, segregation was still a part of her Augustan lifestyle. Why my grandpa was banned from the lake by a sign declaring, “no Jews and no dogs allowed”. How had I missed those few generations that stood between the Holocaust and me? How I had gotten democracy and America and love and education? We could all question ourselves a million times over. Yet, in the end, we have no control over the circumstances we are born into, just as the girls enslaved in brothels in Southeast Asia and throughout the world. However, with each situation, we must use what has been dealt to us to build a better future.

Somaly Mam was born to a country where women were viewed as less than. Whether in the home or in the brothel, women were owned by husbands, pimps, family members. They were taught to be silent and submit. Money could buy girls freedom, but it could also buy brothel owners their way out of court. Somaly Mam risked her life to free herself from the brothels and return to save others like her. She was dealt a difficult set of cards. Yet she used them to reinvent her world. Cambodia and its culture towards women are changing. The world is changing too in response to Mam’s courageous efforts to let her voice and those of all Cambodian girls be heard.

Somaly’s memoir gave me a face and a story to place with those “children starving across the world”. She has taught me that I must not take the freedoms I enjoy lightly. She has taught me that I am privileged only by a matter of luck. Any one of us could have been Somaly Mam, Kaseng, Kolap, Sokhan, or Tom Dy. Any one of us could have been dealt a different set of cards. But most importantly, she has taught me not to feel guilty for having what others may lack. Rather, see my privileges as an opportunity. I have been given a gift that is allowing me to give voice to those that cannot speak for themselves. For all the girls enslaved across the world, I am using my freedom to fight for theirs. I am in debt to them. We are all in debt to the injustice in this world. Innate fortune does not make us above it—innate fortune makes us responsible.

If you are reading this blog, you have opened the door to responsibility. Now you must decide if you will walk through, shed your ignorance and become accountable to the world in which we live. The choice is yours.

The Risk of Running Away

In light of my previous post sharing 13-year-old Selena's story, I thought I would share this image that speaks to Selena's vulnerability as a runaway. This picture has been taken from the Facebook page of Nomad Truckers Against Child Trafficking.

"Selling the Girl Next Door" Documentary

I watched this documentary about a month ago created by Amber Lyon, a journalist and reporter who uses her profession to fight for human rights. The film is titled "Selling the Girl Next Door" and addresses the issue of human trafficking in the United States. Lyon follows the story of 13-year-old Selena, who was trafficked at the age of 12. While Selena was rescued by police after being found inside a casino, she is locked up in a juvenile detention center seeming more like a criminal than a victim. Lyon reveals the complexity of human trafficking and debunks the myth that girls on street corners or in online ads are selling themselves of free will. She also helps us to understand the nature of human trafficking in the United States and how pimps manipulate underage girls to join the trade.

Selena's story represents that of many girls. At a young age, she ran away from her home in the suburbs of Nevada to the Las Vegas strip. It was there that a pimp targeted her on the street asking if she needed a lift home. The pimp formed a relationship with her using his charm to reel her in. After earning Selena's trust, the pimp then used his power over her to manipulate her and force her into the sex industry. Selena expresses that "even the littlest things" could have gotten her killed if she tried to leave.

I think it is difficult for people to realize that the abuses and tactics of pimps are strategic and thought out. They know what type of girl to target and they know just the way to make her feel safe upon initial contact. Pimps often promise girls of a better life and new beginnings if they come along for the ride. Pimps play upon the insecurities and naivety of their underage victims to enslave them for their own profit.

While Selena is lucky to be out of the hands of her pimp, she expresses discontent towards her current situation as well. She goes from being "locked up" in the sex industry to being "locked up" in the juvenile detention center. Witnessing the living conditions of the girls in the juvenile facility makes me sick. After hearing a lecture from Joan Gillece of SAMHSA National Center for Trauma Informed Care, I have learned that the living conditions for these girls only reinforces the trauma they have experienced in the sex industry. They are going from prisoner to prisoner. They are wiped of their identity and individuality as they are all given the same color clothing and restrained with chains to their sides. They are being seen and treated as criminals at the age of 13 for a situation out of their control. I would imagine the belly chains preventing them from being physically free, would only reinforce the girls' feelings of defenselessness and objectivity. They have left one form of enslavement only to reach another form.

I believe these girls would be more able to grow out of their current condition if they were being treated in a loving and nourishing way. They should be provided with services and resources for hope and change. Something as simple as painting the walls of the building with fun and friendly colors or murals could change the atmosphere and make the girls feel safe rather than at fault. If these girls were recognized and honored as victims and treated with proper care, they could be empowered to change the course of their lives. This is another reason why the Safe Harbor Law is so crucial. The law recognizes underage girls involved in human trafficking as victims rather than criminals and provides them with the proper services to get back on their feet. These girls need love, trust and healing to bring them out of the darkness.

Not only does Lyon address the story of victims, she also brings to light the men who buy sex from underage women online. She reveals that there is no stereotype for the kind of man who orders sex online. From construction workers to computer technicians, from married to unmarried, from 20 year-olds to 70 year-olds, men are buying into the sex trade. And many do not question the age of their clients even though they do suspect they are underage.

The online community appears to be the new source of revenue for the sex industry. Pimps sell ads of underage girls on websites such as the infamous backpage.com. They use code words such as "young" and "fresh" to hint that the girl in the ad is underage even though her ad makes her appear older. Lyon puts up an ad portraying herself as an underage girl to show how easy it is to be trafficked and how high the demand is for young girls online. Within minutes, she receives and influx of phone calls from interested men who want her regardless of her age. A pimp even goes as far as to fly Lyon out to North Carolina as an underage girl and put her up in a hotel to traffic her. She backs out of the deal before it goes too far.

Lyon's near experience in the sex trade and her dialogue with girls who have lived through it all reveal just how important this issue truly is. While many may think human trafficking is a problem overseas, it is actually happening in our own backyards. Become aware of your surroundings. Report suspicious behavior. Join the fight to make our world a safer and more humane place.

Woman of the Week: Somaly Mam

I was finally able to complete the portrait of Somaly Mam. I only had a few minor touch ups to make, but here she is more radiant than ever.

Final Portrait: Somaly Mam

 The most exciting part about painting each women is the transition from sketching them in pencil to completing them in full color. Here is the outline I made of Somaly Mam before I painted her:

From the sketch, it was hard for me to tell what the final product was going to look like. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do her justice. However, beginning with the eyes, I worked the brush around her face and it wasn't long until I began to see Somaly Mam peeking through the black and white. 

There is always a moment I have while painting when I feel the presence of the woman I am portraying with me in the room. Within a few minutes, I see her come to life on the page, and with each stroke, she grows more strongly into the woman I admire. Upon completion, I feel as if I have formed a personal connection with each woman and gotten to know her better just through the process. Here is the moment when I saw Mam come alive in my artwork: 

With her nose poking out of the page and her one eye squinting, Mam seemed as if she was right in front of me. Somaly Mam is an amazing woman who lights up a room with her contagious smile and warmth. Painting her was a beautiful and meaningful process. 

For more information on Somaly Mam, please see my previous post titled "Somaly Mam". 

Hangout with Somaly Mam, Rachel Lloyd and Nicholas Kristof

    This past Thursday I participated in a google hangout with Nicholas Kristof, Somaly Mam and Rachel Lloyd on the topic of sex trafficking and modern day slavery. All three speakers are experienced and extremely knowledgeable in the field of women's issues worldwide. Nicholas Kristof is one of the authors of Half the Sky and is a cutting edge reporter for the New York Times that has brought to light many issues including maternal health, human trafficking, and women's education. He is dedicated to this cause and speaks eloquently and accurately of the issues regarding women and how to go about resolving them. He is realistic in his vision and puts his own life on the line in order to help the international community. If I were to feature a portrait of a man on my blog, Nicholas Kristof would be the first portrait to go up. I am truly inspired by his work and fearlessness in the fight for social justice.

  While the google hangout was public and the speakers could not see me, it was amazing to welcome the participants into my living room. I truly felt a part of the fight and the campaign towards justice. It was amazing to hear from Somaly Mam and meet her on a more personal level. To read about her story, you can look at my previous post titled "Somaly Mam". The google hangout was effective in bringing the speakers face to face with the population of advocates they have inspired. The heroes that I had previously idolized from an outside perspective became friends and partners in my journey towards freedom. Hearing from Somaly Mam directly, I realized that she is more than the organization she runs and the work she has accomplished. Her background and pain as a victim of human trafficking will forever be with her and propels her to move forward and help others. I was reminded of how human she is by her humility. Despite her success, Somaly Mam is honest about her weaknesses and the struggle of moving forward from a dark past. She made me realize that as a human being, Somaly and I are no different. While our age, experiences and current activities may vary, our potential as human beings are the same. I am further encouraged that I can make waves for women worldwide as she has done.

    Rachel Lloyd was the one participant I did not know coming into the google hangout. However, I am grateful I was able to meet her and hear from her face to face because unknowingly, I had purchased her book Girls Like Us online for further reading. At 13 years of age, Lloyd fell victim to sex trafficking. In 1997, at 22 years of age, she emigrated to the United States turning her life around providing help to women in the sex industry. In 1998, Lloyd started Girls Education and Mentoring Services (GEMS) in New York to empower girls and support victims of sex trafficking in America. Lloyd's insight on ways to help girls and women susceptible to human trafficking provided me with a new prospective on the fight for freedom. While rescuing girls in the middle of the night from the streets or from brothels sounds appealing and exciting, mentoring girls and supporting women in the community in which we live can actually be more beneficial. She highlights mentoring and tutoring programs, and how helping a girl graduate high school can save her life. By looking at and mediating the risk factors threatening women, we can help stifle sexual slavery. Fighting poverty at home, providing role models and mentors to young girls, encouraging schooling in impoverished places can all help reduce the risk of human trafficking at home. The efforts of teachers, coaches, doctors, social workers, religious leaders etc. all have the opportunity to impact girls in a positive way that can provide them with a better future. No matter what our profession, we can help end modern slavery by being of service to our communities and forming a safer and more healthy environment for our most vulnerable inhabitants. Lloyd made me realize that wherever we go in life, we can make a positive impact.

    I have provided the video of the google hangout for those who wish to see it themselves. If you are new to this cause, I hope this plants a seed in your mind and heart that will grow and encourage you to join the fight. Know that you matter and that your actions matter. We are all connected and what we do can save lives. Enjoy!

Highlight: The Brave Collection

Above is a picture of my recent purchase from The Brave Collection. The letters on the bracelet spell "Klahan", which in "Khmer" (the Cambodian language) means "Brave". Each bracelet sold goes towards supporting local artisans in Cambodia, as well as providing for their health care and child care. The bracelets offer Cambodians an opportunity to work in a safe environment while engaging in meaningful work. Profits go towards training at risk youth in the area as well as supporting the local culture. A portion of the cost of the bracelet is also given to a non-profit such as the Somaly Mam Foundation aimed at stopping modern day slavery.

Jessica Hendricks is the designer of the bracelets and maker of the Brave Collection. She became inspired after her exposure to the horrors of human trafficking during a trip to Cambodia. Three years and another trip to Cambodia later, Hendricks returned to America with the Brave Collection in mind. In a way, Hendricks is also using art to make a change. It is incredible all she has been able to accomplish so far. I love wearing this bracelet and I am proud to be supporting Cambodia. The bracelet on my wrist serves as a constant reminder to never give up the fight for freedom. We will be brave and we will persevere on this journey towards a more just world.

Somaly Mam

Unfinished portrait of Somaly Mam

I first heard of Somaly Mam after reading about her life in Half the Sky. Just yesterday, I ordered her book on Amazon titled, The Road of Lost Innocence. The work is Mam's autobiography revealing the struggle of a Cambodian girl sold into slavery. At the age of fifteen, Mam was sold to a brothel and forced to have sex with the customers. After enduring the harsh conditions within the sex industry, Mam ran away with a client. Believing he would provide her with a better life, Mam only found herself resold and later returned to her original brothel. Mam eventually met Pierre, a French man who came to Cambodia on business. He was a customer of Mam's and soon freed her from the oppressive life in the brothel. They married shortly after. 

While Mam no longer was in debt to her brothel owners, she felt forever in debt to the girls whom she could not save, to all those she left behind and to all those whose slavery was yet to come. Mam rescued girls by bringing them into her own home. Yet, soon the numbers were too big for her to accommodate them and AFESIP (Acting for Women in Distressing Situations) was born. Mam built a home for the girls where they could learn a trade, acquire services and start new lives. Despite death threats and attempts against her life and those of her family, Somaly persevered in building homes for victims of sexual slavery beyond the borders of Cambodia. The Somaly Mam Foundation based in America was created to garner American support. 

Somaly Mam’s past propels her forward. Mam is making changes in Cambodia to end the corruption that stole away her innocence. She has committed herself to breaking up illegal brothels, freeing children from human trafficking, and in doing so, she has helped thousands of women to safety providing them with hope for a better life.

Reading about Samaly Mam is one thing. However, seeing her in action in the film "Half the Sky" is breathtaking. She is tough against her aggressors and will fight tirelessly for what she believes in. She braves dangerous situations to bring about justice in Cambodia. Yet the side of her that resonates with me the most, is her ability to act as a mother, friend and guardian to thousands of children. The children flock to her and see her as a source of comfort. Somaly Mam's radiating smile truly emanates the warmth that lives within her soul. I chose to paint a picture of Mam that shows this smile to share its beauty. She is an amazing woman who I truly admire. One day, I would love to travel to Cambodia to meet her.

On Her Way to Recovery

Source: The New York Times

Malala Yousafzai was released today from a hospital in England. She will continue with rehab and will be treated as an outpatient. It is a miracle that she maintained such minimal damage from a gun shot wound to the head. Malala's hospital stay lasted 82 days and today, she walked out hand in hand with a hospital employee, waving bye to those at the front desk. She is an amazing example of courage and resilience. She has given hope to women across the world to fight for what they believe in and what they deserve.