Half The Sky, By Nicholas D. Kristof And Sheryl Wudunn

Sex trafficking, a type of gender-based violence, continues to be a growing issue in the world today. Women are most susceptible to this type of gender-based violence. They are forced into prostitution and slave-like situations. The book Half the Sky, gives several examples of women who have been victims of this violence. The authors, Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, also explain ways in which we can lead these victims to a brighter future and to an escape from modern day slavery. Our voices are the most powerful weapon against sex-trafficking and gender-based violence. One of the biggest problems with sex-trafficking is the way it is handled by law enforcement. In chapter two of Half the Sky, author Nicholas D. Kristof explains a conversation he had with an Indian police officer. When asked why the officer did not arrest traffickers he exclaimed that the girls were peasants and there was nothing they could do about it. The officer believes that “Prostitution is inevitable”. According to Kristof, “the victims are perceived as discounted humans” (Kristof and WuDunn, 2009, p.24). Sex trafficking will continue to be a problem until law enforcement takes it seriously. This is especially important because

The pimps of the brothels will use several methods to stop girls from escaping. For example, many girls that are trafficked are those who do not speak the language of the country they are brought into. This makes it harder for them to escape and find their way back home. Another method is getting them addicted to drugs. Once a girl is addicted to the drug she may escape but will often return because of withdrawals. The most violent and abusive method to keep girls from escaping is beatings and death threats. Women are often frightened so badly that they consent to the life in the brothel. One of the most important tools in fighting this tragedy is to speak up and let your voice be