SLAVES NO MORE IS AN ASSOCIATION COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

AND TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS FOR LABOUR AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

“The trade of persons is the most extensive form of slavery of the 21^st century", Pope Francis -

There are increasing reports of shocking acts of violence against women. It is a global phenomenon which results in different and dramatic situations: thousands of women and young girls are raped and killed in India; more than 120 “femicides” in Italy in 2012; a young woman in Pakistan, Asia Bibi, who faces a death sentence for blasphemy. But there is less coverage of another phenomenon which is much less known, but equally dramatic: the trade of human beings, especially for sexual exploitation. A true and present form of contemporary slavery which entraps millions of women in the world.

In order to combat this phenomenon, but also to fight against all forms of violence, abuse and discrimination against women, in December 2012, the Association Slaves No More Onlus was created. It is the result of the initiatives of religious and lay persons involved, in various forms, in the fight against human trafficking and the safeguarding of victims. Sister Eugenia Bonetti, a Consolata Missionary sister, serves as the President. For more than 20 years, she has been involved in the fight against this trade that affects thousands of girls, especially immigrants, who are exploited on the streets of urban centres, including Italy. She describes this situation in two books, Slaves ( San Paolo 2010 ) and Breaking the Chains (Rizzoli 2012 ).

"Through this Association," explained Sister Eugenia, "we would like to intervene in an even more effective way in order to prevent and oppose the violence against women and to combat the phenomenon of trade, work on the internet with other groups, entities and associations both in Italy and abroad. This is the reason why a name in English was chosen, especially because we need to work at an international level. The issue of human trafficking is a phenomenon that involves countries that serve as countries of origin, transit or destination, with which we would like to intensify contacts and collaboration."

The Association Slaves No More is concerned with the social, human, civil, cultural and intercultural development of women and minors in vulnerable and difficult situations, victims of violence, abuse, trade and reduction to slavery. "Also," Sister Eugenia highlighted, "the Association has among its priority objectives the formation, information, prevention, liberation and the promotion of women who have been marginalised or victims of situations that deprive them of their dignity or legal status. It also offers support and help in the reintegration, both socially and occupationally, through individual projects both in Italy and in the countries of origin of the immigrant women. We would like to offer a future to the young women who have been deprived of all prospects for a dignified life."

Among its first projects, Slaves No More is committed to achieve assisted repatriation for young Nigerian women, victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, presently held in Centres for Identification and Deportation (CIE) or hosted in safe houses/shelters. They aim to convey a powerful message that these "voyages" are not just in one direction, but one can return home in a dignified manner. For this reason the Association will intensify its collaboration with the Committee for the Support of the Dignity of Women (COSUDOW) of the Conference of Nigerian Religious Orders and other entities and associations that operate in Nigeria.

SLAVES NO MORE onlus

Casa di accogllienza Maria Maddalena

Via Falzarego 20, 00048 Nettuno ( Roma )

Tel/ Fax +39 06.9807871

[email protected]

Codice Fiscale / Partita Iva 97734010586

Banca Popolare Etica – Filiale di Roma

Coord IBAN IT55 0050 1803 2000 0000 0156877

TO SR EUGENIA THE ORDER OF MERIT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

President Giorgio Napolitano awarded Sr Eugenia Bonetti - President of "Slaves no More" onlus - with the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

International Women's Day - March 8, 2014

Presidential Palace, Rome, Italy

My dear family members, friends, co-workers -- and above all, you women who have followed, sustained, and helped us in these years of service to the many victims of trafficking, exploitation, violence and abuse -- I want to share, a news that has surprised me, but also filled my hearts with gratitude, encouragement, and hope.

On February 19, 2014, the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano announced his desire to acknowledge the work of women in different social fields and expertise. Among them religious were included. They are the ones that, through their tireless interventions over the years, rendered a valuable service to immigrant women who are victims of human trafficking.

During the ceremony, which took place at the Presidential Palace on the morning of March 8, the President awarded me with the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic -- not as a personal recognition, but on behalf of the entire "team of nuns". In the last 20 years they have offered their services of compassion and support on the streets, in counseling centers, in shelters, and at the Center for Identification and Expulsion (CIE) at Ponte Galeria in Rome. Many of them network closely with other religious women in countries of origin and transit, helping to prevent and combat trafficking, to welcome and reintegrate young victims in their difficult journey to regain their dignity and identity.

Unfortunately, we must sorrowfully acknowledge that despite long years of hard work and cooperation -- involving lay people and religious, voluntary associations and government agencies -- human trafficking is not declining, but it is increasing evolving new methods of recruitment and exploitation, making it difficult to break these terrible chains of slavery.

We do not let that discourage us. Rather, we will continue our weekly visits to the CIE in Ponte Galeria, staying close to the many women imprisoned there for months for lack of proper documents. For 11 years now, a large group of women religious from different nationalities and Congregations have visited CIE every Saturday to offer to the women held there moments of listening, sharing, comfort, prayer, and sometimes even celebration. They too were present symbolically in front of the President during the celebration, while a young woman we helped to regain her freedom was physically present. She was one of the many women who have experienced the pain of exploitation and slavery, and subsequently that of liberation and reintegration into the Italian society. She represented one of the 6,000 like her rescued from the streets by women religious and reintegrated into our society. Her sad story is like that of many others: brought to Italy at 14 by a so-called uncle, sold to a madam who put her on the street, forcing her to sell her young body along with her youth and her dreams. She was rescued by the police and entrusted to a shelter for children where she lived for four years without any contact with her family. It was only after six years, that she managed to find her family and finally to talk with her mother thanks to our network of sisters. This is one of many cases that confirm the fundamental importance of networking in order to achieve goals that sometimes seem unthinkable or impossible.

Therefore, may this March 8, reminds us once again that we all have a responsibility in breaking this invisible chain. We must continue to work together to end violence against women, hoping that one day we can say "slaves no more"!

Sr. Eugenia Bonetti

SLAVES NO MORE onlus

Casa di accogllienza Maria Maddalena

Via Falzarego 20, 00048 Nettuno ( Roma )

Tel/ Fax +39 06.9807871

[email protected]

Codice Fiscale / Partita Iva 97734010586

Banca Popolare Etica – Filiale di Roma

Coord IBAN IT55 0050 1803 2000 0000 0156877