Today is a very special day
I am writing to you from Oslo, Norway where one of our longtime partners from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr. Denis Mukwege from Panzi Foundation, will receive the Nobel Peace Prize, together with Nadia Murad, a Yazidi survivor from Iraq. Both of these advocates have done extraordinarily courageous work to end sexual violence in conflict.
Today is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which in its first lines proclaims that All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. This fundamental truth is our guiding principle. Donor Direct Action supports front line women’s rights advocates who risk their lives every day to turn this principle into practice.
The Universal Declaration also states that nobody should be held in slavery or servitude. This includes the many million women and girls who are caught up in the devastating sex trade. Today I want to celebrate two inspiring women who have been guiding lights, leading the movement to end it. Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, founder of Embrace Dignity in South Africa and Iluta Lace, director of MARTA in Latvia, are at the forefront of this work.
Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge
Embrace Dignity
Iluta Lace
MARTA
In celebration of Human Rights Day, please consider helping Embrace Dignity and MARTA do even more for women and girls trapped in the sex trade! They urgently need your support.
Sincerely yours,
Jessica Neuwirth
Director
Please find out more about MARTA by watching this short video. Also read opinion article by sex trade survivor Mickey Meji on News 24 on moves towards enacting the equality model in South Africa.
Please also share this email with anyone you think may be interested in this issue!