Post Conference Prayer Day 27

Find your Voice. . .Break the Chain

United Nations Inter-Agency on Human Trafficking

UNIAP

Information:
Is the global financial crisis leading to increases in exploitation and trafficking in Cambodia?

Several organizations are coming together, from the policy level to the grassroots, to answer this important question and to mitigate increases in human trafficking as a result of the financial crisis. To monitor and understand the effects of global financial crisis in Cambodia, UNIAP is conducting research on whether and how unemployed ex-garment factory workers and other vulnerable populations are being lured into exploitative brokering, trafficking, sexual exploitation, or work in degrading workplaces. UNIAP partner, Emerging Markets Consulting, is conducting an industry analysis identifying labor sectors vulnerable to the financial crisis, and the populations made vulnerable by this instability in livelihoods. Joining hands with other partners, such as Chab Dai Coalition, World Vision, IOM, and ILO, the alliance is using the data to collectively implement a joint plan of action that links outreach and awareness raising to vulnerable people and those in need of assistance with advocacy to government and donors and direct assistance to exploited people affected by the financial crisis.

Initiated by UNIAP in April-May 2009, research on women in the entertainment sector (that is, working in karaokes, massage parlors, and brothels) in Cambodia will determine where these women have come from and when, their previous livelihoods, how they got into their current situation, and the levels of deception, debt, and exploitation that they have faced. Collecting and analyzing this data will help us to understand what sectors are being affected and the level of exploitation that entertainment sector workers face.

Prayer Focus:
As our Women of Vision South Puget Sound Chapter sponsors a project in Cambodia, we have a special place in our hearts for these exploited peoples.  Ask God to continue to use World Vision in Cambodia as they partner with UNIAP to bring about solutions to the increase in human trafficking caused by the world's financial crisis.  Pray that after their data collection that they will be able to implement a joint plan of action that links outreach and awarness raising to government and donors.  Pray that as a result that direct assistance will come to the exploited people affected by the financial crisis.  Pray for the entertainment sector research that as the data is analyzed that understanding of the" who" and "what" involved will bring about freedom to those enslaved as entertainment workers.  Praise God that this is another example of light coming to the darkness.