Here is the link to Inherent Dignity which you can download for use. The Launch was live-streamed on Facebook. Please promote this guide in your networks. It is a wonderful compendium of the human rights tools that can combat trafficking in persons. The guide provides an overview of the abuses that assault dignity and then outlines the human rights mechanisms that champion the ‘Inherent Dignity’ of every person. The guidebook ‘Inherent Dignity’ is focusing the response towards the transformation called for and committed to in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – our hope for the future. It is the one living in poverty, excluded, left behind, marginalized, discriminated against who is vulnerable to human trafficking. It is the same dynamic of exploration and abuse that is encapsulated in the current economic system – neo-liberalism – profit over people and planet.
There are some aspect of this guide book that I love a) The title ‘Inherent Dignity.’ It is easy to read and provides the introduction to good discussion at the local and grassroots level. The Guide says it is for local actors. It is here that change will be effected – having the discussion in the family, in the local community with local leaders empowering people to know another reality, a reality of inherent dignity.
b) The insight and statement that human rights violations occur before a girl or women is trafficked … poverty, lack of access to education, health, domestic violence, sexual abuse, gender inequality … Angela Reed call it ‘cumulative disadvantage,’ cumulative human rights violations break down ‘inherent dignity’ and breaks the person – in spirit, in body, in mind must receive attention and be realistically addressed. The guidebook also notes that human rights violations occurring during trafficking experience and after.
c) Highlights the active role that girls and women who have been trafficked have in prevention work is to be commended.
d) The language of rights holders and duty bearers give rise to the central role of participation of all in efforts to combat human trafficking.
e) The chart illustrating the paradigms – ways of understanding the multifaceted drivers of human trafficking is very useful in discussion (see page 21) – users of the guide may identify others.
f) Read the experience of Cathy’s experience on Page 27. And then see the analysis of Human Rights Violations that occurred before, during and after being trafficked. Do you think there are girls and women with similar experiences in your neighbourhood?
Read ‘Inherent Dignity’ alongside the Good Shepherd Position Papers. It is a companion Document to the Position Papers French Spanish
