Fresh drive to succeed in 100,000 girls with anti-trafficking programme

An international charity has committed to reaching 100,000 girls worldwide who’re vulnerable to human trafficking. 

One by One announced the pledge to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, highlighting the plight of women who remain vulnerable to human trafficking and modern slavery.

The charity’s Dignity Project, which mixes menstrual health support with education on personal safety and trafficking awareness, recently achieved a milestone of reaching 50,000 girls.

The programme, established 10 years ago, distributes reusable sanitary pads, while equipping girls with the knowledge to discover the methods traffickers use to groom and manipulate victims, and construct confidence to guard themselves.

The project began after reports of youngsters disappearing near One By One’s offices in Kenya.

Staff identified a link between school absenteeism attributable to period poverty and increased vulnerability to exploitation.

By addressing each issues, the charity says more girls are in a position to remain in education and avoid dangerous situations.

Since its launch within the UK Parliament, the Dignity Project has been rolled out in 14 countries, amongst them Brazil, Sierra Leone and India.

Sessions have taken place in a big selection of settings, from schools and churches to prisons and refugee camps, including programmes for Afghan women displaced by Taliban rule.

Training sessions have also been held in schools across the UK geared toward raising awareness of exploitation and reinforcing the importance of safety, hope and education for women.

According to the charity, schools in Uganda recorded a 19% rise in attendance after Dignity Project events last yr, something campaigners say plays a vital role in decreasing the danger of trafficking.

Becky Murray, founder and chief executive of One By One, said International Women’s Day was a chance not only to have fun progress but additionally to give attention to girls who remain unseen.

“Every reusable pad gifted via the Dignity Project and each lesson taught is a step towards breaking the chains of shame, fear and exploitation,” she said.

She added that the organisation hopes to double its impact inside the following five years.

“It has taken us 10 years to succeed in 50,000 girls. Our goal now could be to succeed in 100,000 in half that point,” she stated, thanking the churches, supporters and businesses which have backed the charity’s work.

The charity’s wider work includes rehabilitation and look after survivors of trafficking.

Its Mercy Centre in Uganda provides residential support for trafficked girls aged between 6 and 17, while its King’s Centre in Kenya offers education, welfare assistance and family reintegration programmes.

In Pakistan, One By One also runs outreach initiatives for kids working in brick factories and operates a protected house for those rescued from bonded labour.

Mrs Murray has previously presented the campaign against trafficking to international political leaders, including meetings on the White House and 10 Downing Street, and has received support from senior figures akin to former UK prime minister Theresa May.

One By One says its long-term aim is to tackle trafficking not only through rescue operations but by stopping exploitation before it begins.

Police officers and community leaders steadily attend the project’s “Dignity Days”, reinforcing the message that girls have the suitable to safety, education and dignity.

Ms Murray said: “Our message is obvious: no price can ever be placed on the top of those girls, because the worth has already been paid in full by Christ. Each girl is infinitely precious in God’s sight, and we pray they’ll live in the liberty and value he has secured for them. 

“We have met many women who’ve been through horrendous situations – the training shows that their bodies are their very own and so they can say no.”