I am a fan of Barack Obama. He is a breath of fresh air after eight years of living in George Bush’s twilight zone. There are many reasons to admire him. A simple example is Obama’s openness to stem cell research. It illustrates the triumph of science and rational thought over the kind of over-zealous fundamentalism and irrational histrionics espoused by his predecessor. Nevertheless, a Nobel Peace Prize? I can sort of understand the Nobel committee’s idea of giving impetus to Obama’s peace initiatives, even if they are in the embryonic stage. It would make perfect sense except for one problem – there are people in the world who are more deserving and whose initiatives need even more of a boost. Number one on my own personal list of deserving recipients is a heroine named Somaly Mam.
Somaly Mam wrote of her life and her experiences as a sex slave in Cambodia in a book called “The Road of Lost Innocence.” Her own experiences were horrible enough but what she went through was the tip of the iceberg. Since she was forced into the sex trade, the business has taken off. The girls are younger and the supply to respond to the ever increasing demand is assured. “Sex with a virgin will cure you of AIDS. I can get you one.” The younger they are the easier it is to convince customers that they are authentic virgins. They get stitched up and sold again. The business is now running like a well-oiled machine.
What makes Somaly’s story remarkable was not so much her personal courage in overcoming adversity but her singular devotion to making a difference since she was freed. From daring rescues in filthy back rooms and confronting corrupt policemen to lobbying presidents and the international community for aid, she has been tireless. Her own welfare always takes a backseat to the needs of the girls.
Her foundation builds shelters and provides training to rescued girls. But as important as this work is, the biggest impact she has had is to bring world attention to this humanitarian crisis and to turn the tide of public opinion from one of shoulder-shrugging acceptance “Oh well, the world’s oldest profession, blah, blah, blah…” to one where we are aware that most women in the trade are far from willing participants. What someone is willing to do for money is their business as far as I’m concerned. What someone is forced to do for someone else’s money is a completely different matter.
To his credit, Barack Obama has said he would donate his prize money to charity. I can think of few more deserving ones than the Somaly Mam Foundation. Let’s hope the Nobel committee decides to give an impetus to Somaly’s initiatives next year.
Tagged as Barack Obama, child prostitution, Nobel Peace Prize, Sex slavery, Somaly Mam.
Posted in Random thoughts.
Posted on 10 Oct 2009
