I am often asked – why does human trafficking happen and how do we make it stop?
The answer to why it happens is simple – demand.
There are an estimated 27.6 million human trafficking victims worldwide at any given time. Traffickers (those who make money off the lives and bodies of these individuals) prey on people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. However, women and girls represent 65% of all trafficking victims globally and more than 90% of detected female victims are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation!
Sadly, our world demands women and girls for sex. Traffickers meet that demand and buyers pay for it.
It seems that we, a country who proclaims equality as a core value for all, have a lot of work to do in light of those statistics. After listening to the unique stories of victims for the past 15 years, I can attest they were not attributed value, equality, or equity.
Today, on International Women’s Day, we at Courage Worldwide want to #EmbraceEquity.
embrace (verb):
to willingly and enthusiastically accept, adopt, and espouse WOMEN!
What does the equity piece mean?
Equity can be defined as giving everyone what they need to be successful, as opposed to giving everyone the same thing. In other words, we give each and every girl at Courage House a safe home to live in, healthy meals to eat, counseling, and the opportunity to go to school; however, because of their unique needs, each girl is given resources that take into account her strengths, her interests, her passions, and her background. We don’t give each girl the exact same thing because they are not the same and have not had the same experience(s).
We give girls shoes, clothes, education, and choices that fit them and their uniqueness.
“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.”
- International Women’s Day website
In this world, women and young girls would not be demanded and sold for sex.
In this world, their gender, their uniqueness, and their achievements would be acknowledged and celebrated.
We, at Courage Worldwide, seek to change our world one individual at a time.
To the girls who call Courage House home, not only do we embrace you, we see you and we believe in you. To that end, we vow to equip, encourage, and empower you on your journey of being and doing all you were created to! We will fight for your equality while providing equity.
Today on International Women’s Day we celebrate women! Our board members, our staff, and our residents.
If you would like to join us in providing unique resources to the girls who call Courage House home, click donate below!
Join us on our social media and submit your “embrace” photos like ours below and tag #EmbraceEquity and @CourageWorld!
We are still selling Courage Coffee! Support child survivors of trafficking and drink some of the best coffee in the world!
