UNA-NYC Committed in Fight Against Human Trafficking
On 15 August, dozens of UNA-NYC members and friends gathered at the Dolby 88 Screening Room for a FilmTalkUNA presentation of Love Sonia, a film that raises awareness about human trafficking issues. The film was presented in partnership with Apne Aap, an organization that has helped over 20,000 girls and women escape sex trafficking.
Love Sonia is an extraordinary independent film that portrays the process, the suffering, and the realities that a victim of sexual trafficking goes through every day. The film gives a clear understanding of the issues, and for many viewers it was hard to see and process the film’s emotional and difficult scenes. Following the screening, we had outstanding guest speakers — Ruchira Gupta and Shandra Woworuntu — who informed the audience on specific ways to advocate for the issues and to support survivors.
Ruchira Gupta, feminist campaigner, Emmy winner and founder of Apne Aap, stressed the need for the entertainment industry to create content that educates and raises awareness of the problems, and demonstrates ways to advocate and support. Ruchira saluted organizations like UNA and its chapters, for supporting and promoting the discussion amongst different communities. She highlighted the importance of spreading the message across borders, as it is an issue that affects every person everywhere.
Moreover, Shandra Woworuntu shared with the audience her experience as a victim of human trafficking. As a survivor of sexual violence and trafficking in persons, she has become an advocate and motivational speaker for thousands of victims. Shandra explained how her organization, MentariUSA, has empowered and mentored survivors from many countries.
Shandra mentioned some of the hardships that victims go through, as they “are not only kidnapped, but also kept filling quotas to eat every day.” There is a need to fundraise, not only to end the problem, but also for the recovery and assistance of victims, so they can get back to society. She pointed out that trafficking in persons “happens in our backyard, in our neighborhoods, in our buildings. It doesn't happen only in India. It happens all over.” She left the audience with a question “What is your contribution to end human trafficking, what will you do to end sex trafficking?”
2019 UN Day Gala Dinner to Focus on Human Trafficking
This year’s UNA-NYC Humanitarian Awards Gala Dinner will focus on the issue of human trafficking. The UN Day gala will honor Delta Airlines, a company that publicly supports the fight against trafficking and is actively helping victims. Also honored will be Ashley Judd, actress and humanitarian, and Nicholas Kristof, journalist and writer. Their support to end sexual violence and human trafficking has raised consciousness and brought international attention to this dire predicament.
For more information on the gala, and to purchase dinner tickets, please visit the event page.
We thank all UNA-NYC members and guests for their overwhelming support and participation in this film screening and we hope to continue strengthening the conversation to end sexual violence and human trafficking everywhere.