Foreign Policy Blogs

International Women's Day

Today is International Woman’s Day,  was first observed on 28 February 1909, in the United States. Since its emergence to bring attention to working conditions and rights, in the beginning of the  20th century, the day has since become more than a political event, but an opportunity to bring to light the many needs and plights of women and girls across the globe that continue to remain marginalized and oppressed.  In many countries, such as much of the Former Soviet states, International Women’s Day has even become a national holiday.

International Women's DayHelp women and girls this International Women’s day, go to the Blue Heart Campaign and help bring much needed awareness to the heinous crime of human trafficking and modern slavery.

By wearing the Blue Heart you raise awareness of this crime and join the campaign to fight it. The Blue Heart represents the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding us of the cold-heartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human beings. The use of the blue UN colour also demonstrates the commitment of the United Nations to combating this crime against human dignity.

The UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) is the only body of the U.N. which focuses specifically on the criminal justice element of the crimes of human trafficking and modern slavery. The UNODC’s work on anti-trafficking is greatly supported by the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its supplementary protocols on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling


To learn more about Human Trafficking/Modern Slavery see the following resource pages Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Links, Human Trafficking Conventions and Laws, Slavery and Trafficking Related Books, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Reports and Publications, Human Trafficking and Slavery Related Movies and Documentaries.

Also see my other posts on Child Trafficking and Slavery

If you have reason to suspect that someone is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline on (1-888-373-7888). Multilingual call specialists are on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are confidential.

 

Author

Cassandra Clifford

Cassandra Clifford is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge to Freedom Foundation, which works to enhance and improve the services and opportunities available to survivors of modern slavery. She holds an M.A., International Relations from Dublin City University in Ireland, as well as a B.A., Marketing and A.S., Fashion Merchandise/Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cassandra has previously worked in both the corporate and charity sector for various industries and causes, including; Child Trafficking, Learning Disabilities, Publishing, Marketing, Public Relations and Fashion. Currently Cassandra is conducting independent research on the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as America’s Pimp Culture and its Impact on Modern Slavery. In addition to her many purists Cassandra is also working to develop a series of children’s books.

Cassandra currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area, where she also writes for the Examiner, as the DC Human Rights Examiner, and serves as an active leadership member of DC Stop Modern Slavery.


Areas of Focus:
Children's Rights; Human Rights; Conflict