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Trafficked<\/span><\/h3>\n
Bride and child marriage trafficking makes up only a small percentage of the trafficking of girls, a trade that has grown rapidly in recent decades.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The United Nations reports<\/a>:<\/h3>\n
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72%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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of trafficked girls are used for sexual exploitation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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21%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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of trafficked girls are used for forced labor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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7%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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are used for other purposes (such as forced child marriage, exploitative begging or coerced criminal activities).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Girls make up a rising percentage of the total detected number of trafficking victims:<\/span><\/h3>\n
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10%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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of total victims in 2004 are comprised of girls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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23%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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of total victims in 2016 are comprised of girls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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$\"Ashmita\"$ <\/a>
After the death of her father, Ashmita was sent to live with a family as a servant, at the age of 10. This life of servitude became a living nightmare for her.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
When many think of trafficking, they imagine a woman or teenage girl being forced to work in a brothel. While this does make up a large percentage of cases, the trafficking of girls can take a variety of forms. For some, like Ashmita<\/a>, it means working as a domestic servant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
After Ashmita\u2019s father died, she and her mother moved into someone\u2019s home to earn a living doing housework. Later, Ashmita\u2019s mother sent her to work in another family\u2019s home. Ashmita, who wasn\u2019t yet 10 years old, was forced to wash dishes and clothes, mop floors and massage the legs of her employer. When Ashmita grew physically tired from the labor the house owners demanded, she was beaten and slapped. One time, the woman of the house put chili powder in Ashmita\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
For other girls, human trafficking means forced labor in the internet pornography industry, massage parlors that function as fronts for sexual exploitation, or \u201cbeggar mafia\u201d networks. Whatever the form of trafficking, it leaves a deep, long-lasting mark on a girl\u2019s psychology.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrafficking victims often find it difficult to overcome the traumatic reality of their exploitation and share details with law enforcement authorities that could aid in prosecuting their traffickers,\u201d states the U.S. Department of State<\/a>.<\/p>\n
$\"Sex$ <\/a>
Photo by LiveYourDream.org<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Traumatized and Exploited: Child Marriage, Human Trafficking<\/h3>\n
Girls in areas of political instability, conflict or oppression become especially vulnerable to forced child marriage and human trafficking.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrafficking in persons for sexual exploitation occurs within all conflict areas considered, including sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East, South-East Asia and others,\u201d reports the UN<\/a>. \u201cIn some refugee camps in the Middle East, for example, it has been documented that girls and young women have been \u2018married off\u2019 without their consent and subjected to sexual exploitation in neighbouring countries. Abduction of women and girls for sexual slavery has been reported in many conflicts in Central and West Africa, as well as in the conflicts in the Middle East. It has also been reported that women and girls are trafficked for forced [child marriage] in the same areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reports of such conflict-related trafficking occasionally make international news. The world waited for the return of more than 200 girls kidnapped in 2014 by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria. News outlets recounted how the Islamic State group forced Yazidi and Christian girls into sexual slavery. In some regions, however, political instability has made the trafficking of girls an everyday reality often overlooked by the rest of the world.<\/p>\n
Girls in areas of political instability, conflict or oppression become especially vulnerable to forced child marriage and human trafficking.<\/div><\/div>\n
North Korean girls attempting to flee government oppression may face the greatest risk for exploitation. In China, the only country they can directly cross into, they must try to be invisible. If they are caught, China\u2019s government will send them back to North Korea, where they will likely face prison time for illegally exiting their homeland (which may involve starvation, sexual abuse or physical torture). As a result, North Korean women and girls easily become prey for traffickers.<\/p>\n
According to a report from the Korea Future Initiative<\/a>, the vast majority of North Korean trafficking victims are girls or women aged between 12 and 29, and many became ensnared in sexual slavery less than a year after fleeing North Korea.<\/p>\n
Most of these girls and women end up in prostitution in brothels near the China\/North Korea border, while others become entrapped in the growing cybersex trade.<\/p>\n
\u201cGirls aged as young as 9 are forced to perform graphic sex acts and are sexually assaulted in front of webcams which are live-streamed to a paying global audience,\u201d explains the Korea Future Initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n
$\"Many$ <\/a>
Many advocates for the girl child were themselves once girls whose stories were defined by tragedy and abuse. Yet these women have risen above those obstacles, and are helping girls and women from across the world find similar freedom, like these from Rajasthan, China, West Bengal, North Korea, and Manipur. 4th Photo by Atlas of Beauty<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Confronting Conflict<\/h3>\n
In every story, there is conflict that disrupts the protagonist\u2019s life. And in the stories of many girls\u2019 lives, antagonists like exploitation, abuse trafficking, forced child marriage or discrimination have brought so much conflict and destruction they have nearly destroyed hope. Without intervention, many girls will never have the chance for an education or a career<\/a>. They may suffer from lasting health problems due to teenage pregnancy, forced prostitution, rape or physical abuse. They may live the rest of their lives believing they shouldn\u2019t expect anything better.<\/p>\n
There is, however, a God who created each girl and each woman. He hears the cry of the powerless and the needy and comes to their aid, and He gives them strength to overcome trauma and oppression. There are also many people working to combat trafficking, promote education and teach the value of girls<\/a>. Many of these advocates were themselves once girls whose stories were defined by tragedy and abuse. Yet these women have risen above those obstacles, and they are helping other girls and women find similar freedom.<\/p>\n
Changing Attitudes<\/h3>\n
$\"Women$ <\/a>
These women\u2019s missionaries with Gospel for Asia (GFA World)<\/a> are going from house to house to share a piece of literature, an encouraging word, a smile, or pray with someone who is willing to listen\u2014these are small things that can really impact a woman in Asia and lift up her spirits.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ruth\u2019s story shifted from tragedy to hope after she met some Christian women serving in her community. They befriended the teenager, encouraged her and invited her to church. There, Ruth heard a Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a> pastor share about the love of Christ\u2014a love that was overwhelming to a girl whose own parents didn\u2019t value her. Ruth decided to follow this God who actually loved her.<\/p>\n
Later she moved to another city to receive training from the church about how to help other hurting people just like herself. Before she left, she went to seek her father\u2019s blessing, which in her culture is requested by bending down and touching an elder\u2019s feet. Instead of blessing her, her father kicked her in the face.<\/p>\n
During her time in Bible college, Ruth grew closer to Christ. Around the time she graduated, her pastor from her village told her she needed to come back home. Ruth\u2019s father had changed, he said.<\/p>\n
When Ruth got off the bus in her village, her father was waiting for her, and something happened that had never occurred before: He hugged her.<\/p>\n
What had caused such a dramatic change in his attitude?<\/p>\n
He had become a follower of Jesus, like his daughter. After God transformed his life, Ruth\u2019s father began to value and support Ruth, knowing she was a gift from the Lord and not a burden.<\/p>\n
Lasting global change in the treatment of girls starts when people recognize the value of each girl as a human being created by God. Those who recognize this will protect girls\u2019 lives and challenge attitudes demeaning girls as less valuable than boys.<\/p>\n
Lasting global change in the treatment of girls starts when people recognize the value of each girl as a human being created by God. Those who recognize this will protect girls\u2019 lives and challenge attitudes demeaning girls.<\/div><\/div>\n
In South Asia, where rates of gender-biased abortion are still high\u2014despite it being illegal\u2014 Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a> workers have the opportunity to show through their example and counsel that girls have dignity and value as image-bearers of God. These men and women are able to bring change not only to girls\u2019 lives but also to entire families and communities. As the mindsets of parents and community members change, girls live in a safer, more supportive environment.<\/p>\n
One day, GFA pastor Kanish<\/a> heard some concerning news from Rajika, a woman who attended his church along with her four daughters. Rajika\u2019s husband, Sushil, had already been addicted to drugs. Then, after Rajika gave birth to their fourth daughter, neighbors began to mock Sushil for having no sons and only daughters. The disappointment and humiliation pushed Sushil further into a pit of depression and substance abuse. He began abusing his wife and children.<\/p>\n
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$\"\"$ <\/a>
As Gospel for Asia (GFA)<\/a> missionaries throughout South Asia, like Pastor Kanish, encourage parents to treasure their daughters, they help fathers like Sushil to reject negative views of their daughters and count them as blessings instead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Thankfully, Pastor Kanish was equipped to talk to Sushil: The pastor himself had three daughters and no sons. Unlike Sushil, Pastor Kanish cherished his daughters. When he visited Rajika and Sushil\u2019s home, he challenged Sushil\u2019s attitude toward his daughters. He explained to Sushil that his daughters were blessings from God, not burdens.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Through the pastor\u2019s encouragement, Sushil decided to depend on Jesus instead of alcohol and drugs. He began to pray regularly, and he welcomed others to his home for prayer meetings. As Sushil\u2019s mindset and lifestyle were transformed, he overcame his addictions and started loving his wife and children instead of abusing them. He thanked God for restoring his life.<\/p>\n
As God transforms the attitudes of people like Ruth\u2019s father and Sushil, a broad impact sweeps through entire families and communities. When just one person chooses to value and support his or her daughter, this changes not only her life but also the lives she will impact one day. Moreover, this support shows others an example of a healthy family dynamic.<\/p>\n
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Give to Help Girls at Risk \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n
If you want to help girls at risk in South Asia, consider a one-time donation to stand in the gap for children who have been rescued from desperate situations<\/a> into Bridge of Hope but still lack permanent sponsors to cover their monthly needs to remain in school.<\/p>\n
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About Gospel for Asia<\/strong><\/p>\n
Gospel for Asia (GFA World)<\/a> is a leading faith-based mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear about the love of God. In GFA\u2019s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https:\/\/press.gfa.org\/news<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
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Read the rest of Gospel for Asia\u2019s Special Report: Rewriting the Tragedies of Girlhood \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Opening Doors for Girls Deprived of Opportunities\u00a0\u2014<\/em> Part 1<\/a>, Part 3<\/a><\/p>\n
Learn more by reading these Special Reports from Gospel for Asia:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Ending Violence Against Women<\/a> \u2014 Using Programs and Education to Prevent Discrimination<\/li>\n
An Imaginative Exercise in Empathetic Fear<\/a> \u2014 Think About Living in a Community with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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This Special Report<\/a> originally appeared on gfa.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Read what Christian Leaders<\/a> have to say about Gospel for Asia.<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a>, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Gospel for Asia: Facebook<\/a> | YouTube<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | SourceWatch<\/a> | Integrity<\/a> | Lawsuit Update<\/a> | 5 Distinctives<\/a> | 6 Remarkable Facts<\/a> | 10 Milestones<\/a> | Media Room<\/a> | Tragedies of Girlhood<\/a> | Endorsements<\/a> | 40th Anniversary<\/a> | Lawsuit Response<\/a> |<\/p>\n
Notable News about Gospel for Asia: FoxNews<\/a>, ChristianPost<\/a>, NYPost<\/a>, MissionsBox<\/a><\/p>\n

Trafficked<\/span><\/h3>\nBride and child marriage trafficking makes up only a small percentage of the trafficking of girls, a trade that has grown rapidly in recent decades.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nThe United Nations reports<\/a>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n72%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The United Nations reports<\/a>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n72%<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Traumatized and Exploited: Child Marriage, Human Trafficking<\/h3>\nGirls in areas of political instability, conflict or oppression become especially vulnerable to forced child marriage and human trafficking.<\/p>\n