In the past year, I came across human trafficking issue, called also a modern slavery, a forced labor. This is beyond the dream job. The fact that still in XXI century people kidnap and trick others to show their power and gain lots of money made me angry, sad and hopeless.
Somewhere in the spring of 2013, I went for brilliantly organised by students Conference at The Hague University (HHS) “Global Capitalism and Modern-Day Slavery Conference 2013 – From Forced Labour to Labour Force”. I was able to listen to the debate between professors regarding the economic, cultural and global aspects of the modern slavery.
Moreover, students prepared very entertaining, interesting and knowledgeable workshop brining us to the early days of the Dutch slavery showing the cruelty and dehumanisation of the man kind. One of the unresolved discussion, was shall the Dutch royalty still be using the Dutch Golden Carriage. The decoration includes slaves elements.
Here is a thought, we did not change at all. In a different way, more subtle and under other circumstances we bring even more harm and agony to those who are not able to defense themselves, especially children and women. Unfortunately this problem occurs all over the world. It is not only the problem of small or poor countries.
The final drop to my sadness during this conference was the presentation done by Saskia Wishart, who was representing Not for Sale organisation, helping those who entered into the prostitution.
On the same topic, one of the ToP members, is also working for years helping prostitutes. Both are silent fighters against the human trafficking. Listen to all the stories made me sad, however also it made me happy that there are organisations like Not for Sale which are actually having a concrete idea while helping those who got into the prostitution / human trafficking world.
I was thinking of writing this post after the conference as I was under a huge impression especially of the actions of Not for Sale, but as usual the life is happening and I was too busy to really clearly and passionately write about it.
Than one day I was browsing on Ipla.tv (the portal with Polish series) and came across ”Na Krawedzi” (”On the Edge”) which is very much connected to the topic. The main women character was raped years back, and those who supposed to help her (police, judge etc…) were actually doing everything in their power to made her look bad. Humiliated and hurt she is coming back after approximately twenty years as a powerful woman. She runs a foundation for women who were abused by men, who were human trafficked. At the same time, not recognised by the oppressors, she is seeking the revenge. I was nicely surprised by the fact that normally while watching the criminal series we tend to guess what will happened next and who is actually guilty. This time till the end, till the last thirteen episode, I was constantly surprised.
Finally, last week I was reading an article in ”Wysokie Obcasy” (”High Heels”) a Polish weekly women magazine, an addition to the daily newspaper. The article was again regarding the human trafficking and prostitution. Actually it was about a woman, a journalist, a feminist fighting for years with those who try to earn tones on the misery of others. It was a story of brave Mexican Lydia Cacho who writes about sexual violence against children and women.
All together, it is too much, why slavery, human trafficking, forced labor are still in place and who is actually going to stop it. After all the above, talking about the dream job it seems so surreal and inappropriate. While some are struggling to survive in pain, humiliation and in captivity far away from the loved one, others are seems to be miserable when they have to work for a profession / company out of their desire. Does that make any sense…?