| "The sale of young girls and women, sex and economic slavery are part of an international criminal business that has taken root in Ukraine," Yuriy Pavlenko, Head of a State Council to combat Human Trafficking, told the 31st Session of the Council's General Assembly. "It spreads fast...and demands joint efforts and active co-operation from all governments and societies."
"Ukraine is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women and children trafficked internationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Ukrainian women are trafficked to Russia, Poland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Spain, Hungary, and Israel for commercial sexual exploitation. In addition, internal trafficking occurs in Ukraine; men and women are trafficked within the country for the purposes of labor exploitation in the agriculture, service, and forced begging sectors, as well as for commercial sexual exploitation. Ukrainian children are trafficked both internally and transnationally for commercial sexual exploitation, forced begging, and involuntary servitude in the agriculture industry." - U.S. State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2007
Please join us in our efforts to raise awareness and funds on the issue of human trafficking in the Ukraine, where the situation of forced prostitution and labor continues to grow.
From 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM, the "Dreams of Freedom" event on September 29, 2007 at Mason's Florist, Gaithers burg, Maryland is a fund-raising benefit, art exhibition and concert, dedicated to raising money for "Progressive Women" in Ukraine and The Emancipation Network.
The event's art exhibition will be an auction of works that are a visual response to human trafficking based on the theme of entrapment. Through artistic expression, we seek to unveil the forbidden dialogue of slavery and embrace the possibility of change and transformation. The exhibition will be coupled with contributions by survivors of human trafficking which gives them an alternate source of income as well as provides a form of art therapy. Our objective is to inspire and empower our community, encouraging all to take a stand against sexual exploitation. All proceeds from our sales will be donated to "Progressive Women" in Ukraine.
"Progressive Women" is a non-governmental organization based in Vinnitsa, Ukraine. They run art-therapy programs for children who are victims of human trafficking, or whose parents have been trafficked abroad for exploitation. With the money raised from Dreams of Freedom, the organization will be able to open their own shelter for the women and children they serve.
Human trafficking is a brutal and horrific reality. Despite the noble efforts of many, the issue is still overwhelming. We hope that you will be able to work with us to make this event a success and help us to contribute to Progressive Women and TEN's valuable cause. Any support that you can extend will be greatly appreciated.
We are currently still accepting artist submissions. For more information on how to reserve a booth, please email Cara Sue
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