Women Igniting Change

Bangladesh

SALIMA SARWAR

    "Trafficking is a major violation of human rights. Poverty and social instability allow it to flourish. They undermine women's power, making them and their children vulnerable to traffickers' false promises of a better life. All of its causes must be addressed if it is to be stopped." Salima Sarwar

Salima Sarwar is the founder and director of Association for Community Development (ACD), a grassroots women's organization in Northern Bangladesh established to address the issue of sex trafficking which is endemic to that society.  She began ACD in 1989 in order to help empower women and protect women's and children's rights.  ACD is one of the first organizations in Bangladesh to focus on the issue of human trafficking.  It works directly with the victims of trafficking, the general public and with local officials. In 1999 ACD founded a shelter home which helps trafficked women and children recover from their ordeal and stop them from being trafficked again.

With more than 30 years of experience in development work, Salima has devoted her life to working with women both in slum and rural areas, chiefly training women in vocational skills, self-employment, and income generation.

Salima is a recipient of several international awards for her work. In 1992, Salima was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 1992. In 2001 ACD was awarded for its outstanding work against human trafficking in Bangladesh.

On Friday, April 21, 2006, Spark hosted Cocktails for a Cause at Lucid Gallery.  With your generous support, Spark raised over $4000, the proceeds of which will go to Salima Sarwar, to support her work fighting the sex-trafficking issues in the region.  To learn more about the issue of sex trafficking, which continues to pervade communities of women all over the world, and how you can help, click here. .