Celebrate, Support and Empower Women: International Women's Day

Today, March 8th is International Women's Day and with that we wanted to take a moment to honor and thank all of the amazing, strong, beautiful and intelligent women across the globe. We want to especially take a moment to thank all the amazing and courageous survivors who embody a relentless spirit few are ever able to possess.

While Bridge to Freedom Foundation does not work with female survivors alone, women and girls comprise 80% of modern slavery victims.   Therefore we ask on this day to not only thank the women in your life, but to honor and support those women and girls who are fighting daily for their basic freedoms and rights. While we not only use this day to honor these women we also celebrate the inspiring and courageous work that so many women -and men- around the world are doing to secure and ensure that the rights of women and girls are put into place to see a future for all that is both more tolerant and sustainable for all. Please remember that many voices have been silenced in the battle for gender equality -speak loudly so that their silence will be forever broken.

This year we ask you consider making a donation to our Violence Prevention Program, where a $45 donation will give a survivor a 3 hour specialized self-defense (Krav Maga) workshop.  Even a donation a little as $10 will make a great impact.  Please click here to learn more about the program and donate.

Fact: Many Trafficked Women from Eastern Europe Have at least a High School Education

It is a common practice for many activists to promote access to education as the one certain way to pull vulnerable groups -such as women and young girls- from the constraints of repressive environments.  Education serves as an empowerment mechanism and provides needed skills and knowledge to climb out of poverty, suffering and inequality.However, it could only be effective if enough employment opportunities exist for the educated population to take advantage of.

As surprising as it might be for many, a large number of trafficked women from former socialist states in Eastern Europe have at least a high school education, and many even have college and university degrees or some kind of vocational training. Lack of education is not what makes them vulnerable; what increases the likelihood they will be exposed to the tactics of opportunistic traffickers are the economic decline and the high unemployment rate that have plagued their native countries following the break up of the Soviet Union. Unable to find channels for the acquired education and skills, many, especially women, make the difficult decision to leave family and friends behind to search salvation in foreign nations. Often, these women are aware of the risks associated with responding to various job advertisements promising easy money, but with no other options, they fall into the trap set by an elaborate system of recruiters and traffickers.