Moldova, a former Soviet republic, is the center of human trafficking in Europe. In a country where the GDP per capita is $2500, opportunities are limited, so many Moldovans look for work in other countries; almost a quarter of the country’s workforce is employed abroad. Many young girls from villages who seek work abroad fall prey to traffickers. Traffickers often work closely with corrupt government officials and police, which makes it almost impossible for victims to seek protection from law enforcement.
Natalia, a young Moldovan victim of human trafficking, shared her story with the UNFPA. She was lured out of her home in Moldova when she was 19 with the promise of a better life in Italy, but instead, was made to work as a prostitute. She suffered repeated rape, physical abuse, and forced abortion. Eventually, she escaped, but could not go back to her home in Moldova because of the shame she would bring to her family. Sadly, this kind of story is shared by thousands of other women just like Natalia. These girls are sold for as little as $3000, and are almost always forced into prostitution, as this is a highly profitable business.
I was shocked to find out that in some towns in Moldova, there are little to no women left, as almost all have been victimized by human trafficking. What countries like Moldova need are strong leaders to curb corruption and bring economic stability. With the availability of jobs domestically, women would be more reluctant to leave their country, making it harder for traffickers to con them.
It's truly tragic that citizens of countries with corrupt and disasterous histories find themselves victims of such cruelty. I hope that through your blogs you can shed light on this issue which seems burried under the world's other problems.
ReplyDeleteThis article makes the movie "Taken" a cruel, terrifying reality. It is so scary to think that thousands of females world wide are being treated this way. It is horrid and a stop needs to be implemented immediately.
ReplyDeleteThe story of Natalia is very touching. This is very informative and gives everyone a great insight on what people experience today. Its unfortunate that people still experience such cruelty but we can all take part to make a difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteDo you know if the US has taken any actions with embargos to effect Moldova? Do they have anything valuable to export?
ReplyDelete$3,000 dollars for a woman to be sold? I cannot believe that women are viewed as business. I truly pray that a stop to all of this madness is within reach.
ReplyDeleteOh jeez there's so much wrong with that.
ReplyDeleteWell, the human trafficking part, obviously, but *especially* the fact that she didn't feel comfortable to return home, that her family wouldn't support her. There's an obvious cultural problem there that needs to be addressed. A family shouldn't prefer to pretend their daughter is dead than admit she was once a prostitute - and against her will, at that
For me, this was an extremely enlightening article, Vivek. This is the best example of why people should take a journalism class.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that Moldova was this kind of place. I have met three Moldovans in my life; I honestly thought that the country was just another poverty-stricken European nation.
I just got a whole new perspective on the ethics of human trafficking in Europe...thank you very much, Vivek.