January 2011 UNA-USA Dane County chapter meeting
David Lippiatt, Executive Director, WE International

The Dane County Chapter has identified human trafficking and debt bondage, i.e. slavery as the theme for 2011. As the first speaker of the year, David Lippiatt gave us a clear overview of some of the causes of modern day slavery and some of the strategies to combat it.

Describing himself as a “modern day abolitionist” David Lippiatt talked about his personal story to start WE International and to address the problem of modern day slavery. With the belief that everyone can do something to address the problem of slavery throughout the world, David began WE International in 2006.

Human trafficking has both a demand side and supply side that contribute to the problem.

Several factors contribute to the supply side,

• Lack of economic opportunities
• Gender discrimination, particularly in access to employment and education
• Tolerance of gender-based violence
• Conflict and displacement from natural and manmade causes
• Breakdown in law and order
• Cultural practices (e.g., ‘apprenticeships’)

The demand side is fed by,

• Growth of the global, commercial sex industry
• Restrictive immigration policies that prevent legal admissions for legitimate work purposes
• Unregulated labor markets that enable exploitive practices to flourish
• Military and peacekeeping operations
• Gender discrimination and tolerance of violence

David outlined several strategies to address trafficking.

• Prevention through sustainable economic development. WE International focuses on empowering women by providing entrepreneur training, income generation opportunities and microfinance opportunities to start small business. All these make people less vulnerable to the traffickers’ schemes.
• Restoration through an arts therapy program. This takes place through personal, spiritual and emotional transformation.
• Reintegration services to help young women to find employment and live independently.

In summary, David stressed that trafficking is a global problem requiring multi-faceted approaches that go well beyond law enforcement. In doing this it is important to focus on economic development, human rights protection, women’s empowerment and conflict prevention and resolution.