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May
17
2012
The Social, Economic, and Environmental Benefits of Empowering Women
Melissa Empower Women 0
The Sustainable Energy For All Summit, hosted by the European Commission, has some not-so-surprising findings: empowered women are good for society, the economy, and the environment. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense: the more choices women have, the more able they are to make positive choices. Educations and economic freedom empower women to change their families, their towns, and their land. Here’s more from the article: Less focus is still given to capacity for women to drive change … Winnie Byanyima, Director of the UNDP Gender Team said that by empowering women could provide the “triple wins”
May
15
2012
Money: The Driving Force Behind Human Trafficking
Melissa Everyday Abolitionist, Trafficking News & Information 0
There are many ways to define human trafficking. It’s an international crime. It’s an affront to human dignity. It’s also a huge business. This last view is particularly helpful for two reasons: 1. Money is what traffickers are focused on. 2. We’re all consumers so we can all help. Here’s just how big the business is: The United Nations estimates unlawful sex trafficking generates approximately $5,000,000,000 a year in revenues. The trafficking industry as a whole generates about $32 billion each year. About $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries and $9.7 billion in Asia. Each forced laborer generates an
May
10
2012
Ethical Fashion for Your Home
Melissa Ethical Fashion 1
We’ve talked about ethical fashion in clothes, shoes, jean, and technology. But how do you make your home an ethical beauty too? Here’s where to look: Serrv: From a small group of church relief workers helping refugees rebuild after World War II, SERRV has grown into a $9.5 million fair trade network connecting thousands of artisans in developing countries with customers and volunteers across the United States. Fair Indigo: The Fair Indigo label was created to make much more than a fashion statement. Our mission is to create high-quality, wearable styles without the exploitation of workers and the environment that
May
08
2012
Everyday Abolitionist: Dan McKown
Melissa Empower Women, Ethical Fashion, Everyday Abolitionist 0
Everyday Abolitionist is a recurring feature on the blog where we’ll hear firsthand from someone using their skills, talents, and opportunities to fight trafficking. This time around we have Dan McKown who is a business veteran working with Freeset and Freedom Initiatives. Read about more Everyday Abolitionists. How did I first find out about human trafficking? I was able to retire from a 34 year career with a Fortune 500 company at the age of 55. I remember making a statement at one of my retirement dinners that I didn’t know what I was planning to do next for the
May
03
2012
Walmart and IKEA Work to Empower Women
Melissa Empower Women, Ethical Fashion 0
If you’ve read much about ethical fashion and empowering women, you’re probably surprised to hear good things about Walmart and IKEA. Big box stores are notorious for having a detrimental effect on the environment and people. (Learn more about ethical fashion.) But here’s some good news. “US retail giant Wal-Mart has launched a special training programme for more than 60,000 female workers at 150 of its supplier factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America,” according to Just-Style. And “The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) … has partnered with IKEA Foundation in a project that aims to help build
May
01
2012
Kevin Bales: How to Combat Human Trafficking
Melissa Books & Resources, Trafficking News & Information 0
Last week we had Nicolas Kristof’s 10-minute pep talk; today we have Kevin Bales’ 20-minute crash course in ending trafficking. Below that you’ll find some key points from our about human trafficking page. This is a great post to refresh your memory and revive your motivation to end trafficking. It’s also a great post to share with friends who don’t know much about trafficking. What is Human Trafficking? “Captives Set Free” by Collin Rowland “Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity. It involves an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion,
Apr
30
2012
May Events in Cincinnati
There are a lot of great events lining up in May for those of you in Cincinnati! Some where we’ll be selling, and another where we’ll just be hanging out! Here are the details: Saturday, May 5th: Every year Nada throws a great Cinco de Mayo party. This year the event benefits Transitions Global so it’s a great party for a great cause! Saturday, May 12th: To celebrate World Fair Trade Day, a new boutique in Newport, KY is having their grand opening! It’s Only Fair is located at 123 E. 9th Street in Newport, KY. The boutique will be carrying
Apr
26
2012
A 10-Minute Pep Talk: Overcoming the Darkness of Trafficking
Melissa Empower Women, Everyday Abolitionist, Survivor Stories 1
It’s no secret: Human trafficking can be depressing to read about. Here’s a 10-minute pep talk from journalist Nicholas Kristof, author of Half the Sky. In this TEDxWomen interview, he speaks about the resilience of the men, women, and children he’s met in his travels around the world. People assume, based on the dark topics he reports on, that he must be “profoundly depressed or highly neurotic.” But he insists that “side by side with the worst things happening in the world, you see the very best.” Everywhere he goes around the world he sees humanity and altruism—and we can
Apr
24
2012
Empower Women Farmers
Melissa Empower Women 0
“A Call for Equal Rights for Women Farmers” from VOA highlights the world-changing potential of empowered women. The report focuses on women farmers in the developing world, particularly in Africa. Faustine Wabwire of Bread for the World shares insight into the problem—and the solution. Find out from Bread for the World how you can help empower women. “Women constituted half of the agricultural labor force in not just Africa, but the developing countries as a whole. And when you think of Africa alone, it’s more than sixty percent of the total agricultural labor force being provided by women.” The report
Apr
19
2012
Child Abuse: A Precursor to Sex Trafficking
Melissa Survivor Stories, Uncategorized 0
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Statistics show that kids who are victims of abuse at home are at risk of being trafficked. “According to Sandra Morgan, R.N., M.A., the director of Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice, “65 to 85 percent of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation have a history of child sexual abuse in their own community or home environment.” Survivor Holly Smith wrote an article for the Washington Times telling her story and urging readers to help prevent child abuse. Part of her story is below. Find out about the six protective factors