Category: Activism

“I Didn’t Know It Had a Name”: Understanding Labor Trafficking — and How to Spot It

AdobeStock_136448884 - Maid changing pillows during housekeepingBy Robert Kneschke
AdobeStock_136448884 – Maid changing pillows during housekeeping By Robert Kneschke

When Rosa* arrived to clean guest rooms at a popular beach hotel, the recruiter’s promises still echoed: “$12 an hour, free housing, and a chance to learn English.” Her temporary work visa had cost thousands in “fees,” which the recruiter said she could repay from her first months of wages. But the free housing was a crowded motel room with six other women. The “fees” kept growing. Her passport was locked in a supervisor’s desk “for safety.” Twelve-hour shifts stretched into sixteen. If she complained, the supervisor reminded her that she “owed” the company and could be sent home in debt, or reported to immigration. Rosa wasn’t chained. She could walk to and from work. Yet every part of her life, documents, debt, threats, and isolation, was controlled.

Rosa didn’t know it had a name. It does: labor trafficking.

What is labor trafficking?

Under U.S. law, labor trafficking (also called forced labor) occurs when someone obtains another person’s labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion. This includes threats of serious harm, schemes, abuse of legal process (for example, threatening deportation), or withholding documents and wages to compel work. 

Globally, the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates 27.6 million people are in forced labor on any given day. A 2021 report estimated that 50 million people are in “modern slavery,” which also includes forced marriage.  In 2024, the ILO reported that illegal profits from forced labor in the private economy reached $236 billion annually, a 37% increase over a decade; this is evidence that coercion is lucrative for traffickers and intermediaries. 

AdobeStock_36854977. Black Businessman holding black bag full money. By RODWORKS
AdobeStock_36854977. Businessman holding a bag full of money. By RODWORKS

How does it happen? The “means” traffickers use

The ILO identifies 11 indicators that commonly appear in forced labor situations. You rarely need all 11 to determine risk; one or more strong indicators can be enough to signal danger. These are abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, isolation, physical or sexual violence, intimidation and threats, retention of identity documents, withholding wages, debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime. 

Rosa’s story shows several in practice:

  • Debt bondage via unlawful recruitment fees and deductions.
  • Withholding documents (passport confiscation).
  • Threats and abuse of legal process (“We’ll call immigration”).
  • Excessive overtime and abusive conditions.

These tactics can entrap anyone, citizens and migrants, men and women, adults and youth.

AdobeStock_321877815-1. Man putting smartphone, passport and money into safe. By New Africa
AdobeStock_321877815-1. Man putting smartphone, passport and money into safe. By New Africa

Where labor trafficking shows up (it’s closer than you think)

Contrary to the myth that labor trafficking only happens “somewhere else,” it also occurs in wealthy countries, including the United States, across both hidden and highly visible industries. 

  1. Agriculture, forestry, and food processing: Seasonal, remote worksites and complex contracting chains create risk. Temporary visa programs (such as H-2A for agriculture and H-2B for non-agricultural seasonal work) can be both lifelines and levers for coercion when employers or labor brokers retaliate or threaten to withhold visa renewals. The Hotline data and policy research from Polaris Project detail cases involving wage theft, unsafe housing, and retaliation.
  2. Hospitality, cleaning, and landscaping: Hotels, resorts, commercial cleaning, and landscaping often rely on subcontractors and staffing agencies, which can obscure who is responsible for wages, safety, and housing. The National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified hundreds of potential victims linked to hospitality supply chains.
  3. Construction and manufacturing: Long hours, dangerous sites, and layers of subcontracting elevate the risk of coercion, document retention, and threats. The ILO’s indicators surface repeatedly in these sectors.
  4. Domestic work and caregiving: Workers in private homes can be isolated from the public and regulators, leaving them vulnerable to withheld wages, restricted movement, and threats. The ILO’s global estimates include millions of cases of domestic work under forced labor.
  5. Seafood and global supply chains: Beyond U.S. borders, supply chains can mask the use of forced labor in fishing, seafood processing, apparel, electronics, and more. The U.S. Department of Labor’s List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor is a sobering catalog, as it lists 204 goods from 82 countries (as of Sept. 5, 2024). Policymakers and purchasers use it to identify high-risk imports and improve due diligence.
AdobeStock_573441418. Exhausted little girl sitting on floor concrete wall background. child labor and exploitation
AdobeStock_573441418.  Exhausted little girl sitting on floor – labor exploitation. By AungMyo

State action and import bans

In recent years, the U.S. has restricted imports tied to forced labor under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and other authorities, adding companies to enforcement lists and blocking imports in sectors such as footwear, aluminum, and seafood. These steps matter because cutting off profits reduces incentives to exploit. 

Common threads: What to watch for

While every case is unique, patterns repeat:

  1. Recruitment fees and debt: Workers are charged unlawful or inflated fees by recruiters. Debts balloon through deductions for housing, equipment, or transport, paid back through labor; the worker can’t freely leave.
  2. Document confiscation: Passports, IDs, or visas are held “for safekeeping,” removing mobility and increasing fear.
  3. Threats and abuse of legal process: Supervisors threaten deportation, blacklisting, or calling the police if workers complain.
  4. Isolation: Workers are transported to remote sites, housed on-site, or told not to speak to neighbors, customers, or inspectors.
  5. Wage theft and excessive overtime: Unpaid overtime, below-minimum wages, or pay withheld until a season ends.
  6. Subcontracting opacity: When multiple entities sit between the worker and the brand, accountability gets murky, and traffickers exploit the gaps.

Who is at risk?

Anyone facing economic hardship, discrimination, or a lack of legal protections can be targeted. Migrant workers, especially those whose visas tie them to a single employer, can be especially vulnerable to coercion. Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s analysis shows thousands of victims holding temporary visas at the time of their abuse. 

But vulnerability isn’t limited to migrants. Youth aging out of care, people in debt or homelessness, and disaster-displaced families are at an elevated risk of labor exploitation. Traffickers prey on need, not nationality.

AdobeStock_265465062. Teenage girl with other homeless people receiving food.By New Africa
AdobeStock_265465062. Teenage girl with other homeless people receiving food. By New Africa

How is labor trafficking different from “regular” workplace abuse?

Workplace violations (like unpaid overtime) are serious and enforceable through agencies like the U.S. Department of Labor, but they are not all trafficking. Trafficking involves a compelling mechanism (force, fraud, or coercion) that deprives a worker of a meaningful choice to leave. If you see indicators like debt bondage, document confiscation, or threats of serious harm or deportation, you may be looking at forced labor, which is a crime. 

What progress looks like

Governments, companies, and civil society have tools to reduce risk:

But the profit motive remains powerful, given the staggering $236B in illegal profits stemming from forced labor, so vigilance and reporting are critical. 

AdobeStock_475597494.jpeg. "Ban goods made with forced labor " By AndriiKoval
AdobeStock_475597494.jpeg. “Ban goods made with forced labor ” By AndriiKoval

How you can help (even if you’re not sure it’s trafficking)

You don’t have to decide whether a situation is “definitely” trafficking. If you notice multiple indicators, such as debts used to control, threats, confiscated documents, isolation, abusive conditions, withheld wages, or excessive overtime, say something. Trained specialists can sort out whether it’s a labor law violation, trafficking, or both, and connect people to help.

In the United States

  • National Human Trafficking Hotline – 1-888-373-7888 (24/7), text “BEFREE” (233733), or online report/chat: humantraffickinghotline.org. (The hotline is supported by Health and Human Services and is transitioning operators; the number and channels remain active.)
  • DHS Blue Campaign / ICE HSI Tip Line – To reach federal law enforcement directly about suspected trafficking or smuggling: 1-866-347-2423 or submit an online tip.
  • U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division (WHD) – For wage theft, child labor, or overtime violations that may overlap with trafficking: 1-866-4-US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243) or file a complaint online.
  • OSHA – For unsafe or abusive working conditions posing imminent danger: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
  • 911 – If someone is in immediate danger.

If you’re an employer or community leader, post these numbers in break rooms, faith centers, and shelters—and ensure reporting won’t trigger retaliation.

Bringing it back to Rosa

One winter night, a guest slipped Rosa a folded flyer with a number and the words: “You have rights.” She called during her only free hour. The advocate didn’t ask her to be certain; they asked about indicators, debt, documents, threats, wages, and hours, and created a safety plan. Law enforcement and labor investigators coordinated with a local nonprofit. Rosa got her passport back, moved into safe housing, recovered wages, and started English classes. She still cleans rooms, but now she does it on her own terms, and she keeps extra copies of that number in her apron pocket.

AdobeStock_239599722.jpeg. Young chambermaid with clean towels in bedroomBy New Africa
AdobeStock_239599722.jpeg. Young chambermaid with clean towels in bedroom By New Africa

If you or someone you know might be experiencing labor trafficking:

You don’t need to be sure. Calling could be the beginning of someone’s freedom.

Unchained hands raised to the sky
AdobeStock_54553304. Formerly tied hands raised to the sky. By Marina

*The name and story used are a representation of labor trafficking victims.

Neurorights and Mental Privacy

Neurons cells concept, whitehoune, #170601825
Image 1: Conceptual illustration of neuron cells, whitehoune, Adobe Express Stock Images, #170601825

As neuroscience and commercial neurotechnology advance, a new human-rights conversation is emerging: who controls the contents of the mind? This question, framed as “neurorights,” aims to protect mental privacy, personal identity, and cognitive liberty as technologies that can read, interpret, or modulate brain activity move from labs into clinics and consumer markets.

Imagine a person using a sleek, wireless headband marketed to boost productivity. The device measures tiny electrical signals from their scalp, brainwaves that reflect attention, stress, and fatigue levels. This neural data is sent to a companion app that promises personalized “focus insights.” Yet behind the scenes, that same data can be stored, analyzed, and even shared with advertisers or insurers who want to predict behavioral patterns. Similar EEG-based devices are already used in classrooms, workplaces, and wellness programs, raising questions about who owns the data produced directly by our brains and how it might shape future decisions about employment, education, or mental health.

What are neurorights?

“Neurorights” is an umbrella term for proposed protections covering mental privacy (control over access to one’s neural data), cognitive liberty (the freedom to think without undue intrusion or manipulation), mental integrity (protection from harmful interference with brain function), and fair access to cognitive enhancements. Advocates argue these protections are needed because neural signals, unlike most data, are deeply tied to personal identity, emotion, and thought.

Why human rights framing matters

Framing these issues as human-rights questions does more than add vocabulary; it shifts the burden from optional ethics to enforceable obligations. Rights language foregrounds duties of states and powerful actors (companies, employers, security services) A rights framework also helps center vulnerability. People detained in criminal justice systems, psychiatric patients, low-income communities, and marginalized groups may face disproportionate risks of coercive or exploitative uses of neurotechnology.

The psychological stakes concerning selfhood

Psychology offers essential insights into why neural intrusions are psychologically distinct from other privacy breaches. Anticipated or actual access to one’s neural signals can change behavior, prompting self-censorship, anxiety about inner experiences, or altered identity narratives as people adapt to the possibility that their private mental states might be exposed, interpreted, or changed.

Moreover, interventions that modulate mood, memory, or decision-making, whether therapeutic or commercial, reach into capacities that underpin agency and moral responsibility. Psychology research shows that perceived loss of agency can undermine motivation, increase helplessness, and disrupt social relationships; applied at scale, these individual effects could reshape community life and civic participation.

Current technologies and real-world uses

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), invasive implants, noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) headsets, and machine-learning models that decode neural patterns are no longer just speculative. Companies developing clinical implants aimed at restoring lost motor function and consumer devices marketed for wellness, focus, or gaming generate neural data that, if mishandled, could reveal health conditions, emotional states, or behavioral tendencies.

Reports and investigations have raised alarms about both safety and governance, questioning lab practices, clinical oversight, and whether companies adequately protect highly sensitive neural signals. Meanwhile, policymakers and researchers are documenting opaque data practices among consumer neurotech firms and urging regulators to treat neural data as especially sensitive.

Where governments and institutions are acting

Latin America has been a notable early mover on neurorights. Chile passed constitutional protections and subsequent legislation explicitly recognizing rights tied to mental privacy and brain integrity, signaling a precautionary approach to neurotechnology governance. Regional advocacy and legal scholarship have spread the debate through Mexico, Brazil, and other jurisdictions.

Outside Latin America, regulatory efforts differ. Subnational privacy laws in places like Colorado have moved to include neural or biological data under sensitive-data protections, and U.S. senators have urged federal scrutiny of how companies handle brain data. At the international level, UNESCO and other bodies are mapping ethical frameworks for neurotech and its impact on freedom of thought and personal identity.

Psychological harms and social inequality

Human-rights concern about neurotech is not simply theoretical. Psychological harms from intrusive neurotechnology can include sustained anxiety about mental privacy, identity disruption if neural signatures are used to label or stigmatize people, and coerced behavioral modification in institutional settings.

These harms are likely to be unequally distributed, with some groups facing fewer safeguards and greater exposure to surveillance or coercion. Rights-based governance should therefore combine privacy protections with equity measures, ensuring safeguards are accessible to those most at risk.

Human brain illustration, Adobe Express Stock Images, Hein Nouwens, #141669980
Image 2: Human brain illustration, Adobe Express Stock Images, Hein Nouwens, #141669980

Benefits and risks

After discussing so many potential risks of neurotech, it’s important to acknowledge that this technology also has legitimate benefits: neurotechnologies offer therapeutic promise for paralysis, severe depression, epilepsy, and other conditions where traditional treatments fall short. The human-rights approach is not about halting innovation; it’s about steering it so benefits don’t come at the cost of fundamental freedoms, dignity, or mental integrity.

Principles for rights-respecting governance

Based on human-rights norms and psychological science, several practical principles can help guide policy and practice:

  1. Mental-privacy-first data rules. Neural data should be treated as inherently sensitive, requiring explicit, revocable, and informed consent for collection, use, and sharing, plus clear limits on secondary uses.
  2. Strong procedural safeguards in clinical research. Trials for invasive devices must meet rigorous safety, animal-welfare, and informed-consent standards to protect participants’ welfare and dignity.
  3. Transparency and oversight for commercial neurotech. Companies should disclose data flows, model-training practices, and any commercial sharing of neural signals, and independent audits and enforceable penalties should deter misuse.
  4. Protection against coercion. Employment, school, or criminal-justice settings should be barred from coercively requiring neural monitoring or interventions without robust legal protections and judicial oversight.
  5. Equity and access. Policies should avoid creating two-tier systems where only affluent groups receive safe, beneficial neurotech while others suffer surveillance or low-quality interventions; public health pathways for safe therapeutic access are essential.
  6. Legal recognition of cognitive liberties. Where feasible, codifying protections for mental privacy and mental integrity, at least as part of sensitive-data regimes and health-privacy laws, creates enforceable rights rather than aspirational principles.

What psychology researchers can do

Psychologists and behavioral scientists are well placed to measure and communicate the human impacts of neurorights policy choices. Empirical studies can probe how perceived neural surveillance influences stress, self-concept, and social behavior; intervention trials can test consent processes and mental-privacy safeguards; and qualitative work can amplify vulnerable groups’ lived experiences.

What civil society and rights advocates should watch

Advocates should monitor corporate data practices and any opaque sharing of neural signals, laws that would allow state access to neural data for security or law-enforcement purposes without adequate safeguards, and the commercialization of consumer BCIs that escape medical regulation yet collect deeply personal neural information. Public interest litigation, public education campaigns, and multi-stakeholder policy forums can help shape accountable pathways.

A cautious optimism

The rise of neurorights shows that society can respond proactively to emerging technologies. Chile’s early steps and subnational privacy laws signal that legal systems can adapt to protect inner life, and UNESCO and scientific communities are actively debating ethical frameworks. But these steps are the beginning, not a solution. Meaningful protection requires global attention, interdisciplinary research, and enforceable rules that place human dignity and psychological well-being at the center.

Conclusion

Neurotechnology promises real benefits for health and human flourishing, but it also raises unprecedented questions about mental privacy and the boundaries of state and corporate power. A human-rights approach, guided by psychological evidence about identity, agency, and harm, offers a way to balance innovation with dignity. Protecting the privacy and integrity of our minds is not just technical policy; it’s a defense of what it means to be a person.

Human Rights at a Crossroads: Balancing Intervention and Sovereignty

Introduction: Conflicts as Human Rights Challenges

hand as a symbol of stopping dictatorship, resistance for democracy in Venezuela, violation of human rights
By: rjankovsky
Source: Adobe Stock
Asset ID#: 919721402

Conflicts in Ukraine and Libya highlight the complexities of upholding human rights under international law. These crises test principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (1966). This blog examines humanitarian intervention’s promises and pitfalls, drawing on Alan Kuperman’s 2023 analysis in Michael Goodhart’s Human Rights textbook, to inspire young readers to engage critically with global issues.

Human Rights in Conflict: Ukraine’s Test

The war in Ukraine challenges fundamental human rights, including the right to life and security (UDHR, 1948, Article 3) and health (ICESCR, 1966, Article 12). Threats to nuclear facilities exacerbate risks to civilians, while propaganda from state media undermines the right to information (ICCPR, 1966, Article 19). Economic sanctions, intended to curb aggression, often restrict access to food and medicine, violating economic, social, and cultural rights (ICESCR, 1966, Articles 11-12). This creates a dilemma: balancing accountability with humanitarian impacts requires careful policy design. The interplay of civil, political, and economic rights demands holistic strategies to protect vulnerable populations.

Interconnected Harms: Libya and Intervention’s Legacy

The 2011 NATO intervention in Libya, initially launched to protect civilians, shifted to regime change, prolonging the conflict and destabilizing the region (Kuperman, 2013). Exaggerated reports of atrocities fueled this escalation, contributing to unrest in Mali and Somalia (Kuperman, 2013). This aid also created a situation of “moral hazard” that encouraged rebels to escalate violence– essentially, they expected foreign support that would ameliorate the costs of that escalation, and so they escalated in a way they otherwise might not have done. This escalation, in turn, undermined humanitarian goals. Libya’s instability eroded both civil and political rights (e.g., security) and economic, social, and cultural rights (e.g., livelihoods), highlighting the need for evidence-based, limited interventions overseen by international bodies like the UN.

The link between misinformation and intervention connects to broader human rights challenges. In both Ukraine and Libya, distorted narratives violate the right to reliable information (ICCPR, 1966, Article 19), amplifying harm and complicating accountability (Kuperman 2023).

Digital Amplification: Misinformation’s Role

Misinformation often exacerbates human rights violations in conflict zones. In Ukraine, state-driven propaganda distorts public understanding, while in Libya, overstated atrocity reports fueled intervention (Kuperman, 2013). These violations of the right to information (ICCPR, 1966, Article 19) highlight the digital age’s challenges. Institutional delays, such as late Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions by states like the U.S., further erode trust in global systems. Digital platforms that deliberately or accidentally spread misinformation and disinformation amplify these issues, necessitating media literacy and advocacy to protect access to truth.

Sovereignty vs. R2P: A Delicate Balance

The tension between state sovereignty and human rights protection remains central to international law. The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, which says that states should intervene in each other’s affairs when human rights are being egregiously violated, was endorsed by the UN in 2005. This doctrine aims to prevent atrocities, but its inconsistent application in cases like Rwanda and Syria reveals challenges. Intervention in another country violates state sovereignty, while nonintervention can mean that a genocide will continue. Clearer rules, as Ikenberry suggests, are needed to ensure interventions respect sovereignty while protecting civilians (Kuperman, 2023). Reforming R2P to prioritize evidence-based action is critical for effective global governance.

Youth Advocacy: Shaping Human Rights

Young people are vital to advancing human rights. Conflicts like Ukraine and Libya affect peers through disrupted education (ICESCR, 1966, Article 13) and suppressed speech (ICCPR, 1966, Article 19), while future careers in policy or law offer opportunities to drive change. Students can join Amnesty International’s youth networks, participate in Model UN, or amplify UPR findings on platforms like X with hashtags like #HumanRights or #R2P. By questioning narratives and advocating for accountability, youth can shape a future where human rights are upheld.

Conclusion

Conflicts in Ukraine and Libya reveal the complexities of balancing sovereignty, intervention, and human rights. Evidence-based policies, protection of information rights, and reformed R2P frameworks are essential for progress. Young advocates, equipped with critical thinking and informed by history, can drive this change through grassroots efforts and digital campaigns, ensuring human dignity prevails.

References

  • Ikenberry, G. J. (2016). Sovereignty vs. Human Rights. YouTube, University of Pennsylvania. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S534ZqxjPgg.

  • Kuperman, A. J. (2013). A model humanitarian intervention? Reassessing NATO’s Libya campaign. International Security, 38(1), 105-136. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13600826.2013.824513.

  • Kuperman, A. J. (2023) “Humanitarian Intervention,” in Human Rights: Theory and Practice, edited by M. Goodhart. Oxford University Press: 178-200. https://www.oxfordpoliticstrove.com/display/10.1093/hepl/9780190085469.001.0001/isbn-9780190085469-book-part-12

  • United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights.

  • United Nations. (1966). International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights.

  • United Nations. (1966). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights.

  • United Nations General Assembly. (2005). World Summit Outcome Document (R2P Framework). https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n05/487/60/pdf/n0548760.pdf?OpenElement&_gl=1*fnd0ef*_ga*MTk4NjU4Mzg0MC4xNzU5NDI4ODQx*_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z*czE3NjEyNDc5MTYkbzMkZzAkdDE3NjEyNDc5MTYkajYwJGwwJGgw.

Culture as a Catalyst: Eswatini as a Leader in Community Health Promotion

Umhlanga, also known as the Reed Dance, is an event filled with color, dancing, and community spirit. Thousands of young women in Eswatini dress in traditional attire and celebrate not only their culture, but also their womanhood. However, there are unique health impacts to the event, as well, because it has served as a health promotion event in recent years. In doing so, it has uplifted safe sex habits, public health resources, and more. The dual impact of this event makes it unique, as it serves to maintain culture and promote health. It serves as a model for how cultural events can be leveraged to promote health and uplift human rights, empowering individuals with access to information, autonomy, and critical care, while connecting women to their own culture.

Photo 1: Girls representing their community at the Umhlanga Reed Dance.Credits: Wajiha Mekki
Photo 1: Girls representing their community at the Umhlanga Reed Dance.
Credits: Wajiha Mekki

Umhlanga and Its Cultural Significance

The Kingdom of Eswatini has hosted Umhlanga since the 1940s. The purpose of the event is to celebrate chastity among young women. There is a similar event for young men called Incwala with the same purpose. However, in Umhlanga, the young maidens focus on honoring the Queen Mother through their participation in the ceremony.

This 8-day event draws thousands of young girls from across the kingdom, ranging in age from six to 25. In the 8 days, the young maidens are expected to participate in collecting reeds for the Mother Queen. With a guardian from their township, they travel far and wide to participate in all aspects of the event.

This event is key in health promotion, as it is a quick way to reach a vast audience. With the event hosting visitors from the Southern African region and from around the world, tens of thousands are in attendance. Most importantly, it is the country’s largest meeting of adolescent girls and young women, who constitute a group disproportionately affected by HIV in Eswatini. With support being mobilized by the government, it fosters trust among the constituency, which helps promote long-term health.

Where Public Health and Culture Intersect

Historically, the event has been known to provide key resources to young women; in 2002 alone, over 15,000 packets of books were distributed to young women, and additional resources, supported by local NGOs, were shared with the girls through presentations. The reintroduction of the event was praised as a way to connect the community, and, surprisingly, as a way to slow HIV/AIDs in the country. In 2019, the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Ministry of Health partnered with Population Services International (PSI) for the first time. This collaboration provided free HIV self-test kits and promoted voluntary male circumcision. Since then, collaboration has been robust in supporting the young women and their health needs through resources and information provided by Khulisa Umntfwana, NATICC, Edutainment, the Imbali Foundation, and many others.

These are key, as getting testing for HIV in Eswatini can be linked with a lot of stigma. Despite the prevalence of the disease in the country, testing levels for adolescent girls and young women are relatively low; this is tied to many factors, such as testing interventions not wanting to test young girls, them not being in a healthy environment to accept the results, and the judgment that exists around testing. With self-testing kits, these barriers are overcome, making it easier for women to know their health status and take the necessary precautionary measures to protect their health.

As a result of the partnership, from 2019 to 2020, over ten thousand kits were distributed to anyone who needed them, and there was a spike in clinic visits to discuss testing and male circumcision. Voluntary medical male circumcision is associated with an approximately 60% reduction in the risk for female-to-male transmission of HIV, which further reduces the HIV burden in the country. This change in health behavior is a real-world example of implementing to the right to health. Access to HIV testing is part of the right to health, as developed by the UN’s International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and giving people the tools to know their HIV status respects their autonomy and motivates them to make informed decisions. Especially by targeting adolescent girls and young women, the gap that exists for vulnerable populations is slowly closed, which proves the sustainable impact of the intervention.

Photo 2: Girls preparing to enter the royal grounds to begin the final day of the event.Credits: Wajiha Mekki
Photo 2: Girls preparing to enter the royal grounds to begin the final day of the event.
Credits: Wajiha Mekki

Cultural Acceptance and Health Behavior Change

There are very few events across the world that discuss health behavior in tandem with culture. However, Umhlanga is an example of the success of such intentional programs. By sharing health information that is culturally relevant, rather than siloed by the reality of clinical sciences, it becomes a tangible topic and reduces its level of intimidation. The demystification of the subject also helps improve health-related conversations long-term across the nation. By discussing such a seemingly sensitive topic amongst peers and families, it normalizes it significantly, which can promote additional discussions later on. By working to frame it through empowerment rather than shame, motivating youth to take ownership of their health further reduces the shame some students may have. 

This then motivates young women to have key conversations with their partners; from discussing circumcision to using protection, these discussions can occur more quickly and inspire positive change in the long term. This also impacts the national conversation about sexual health, as well, making it easier for older generations to understand the nuances of the issue as it affects younger generations.

Photo 3: Attendees from across the kingdom supporting the Reed Dance.Credit: Wajiha Mekki
Photo 3: Attendees from across the kingdom supporting the Reed Dance.
Credit: Wajiha Mekki

Challenges

Although the impact of such an intervention is vast, some challenges exist. One is the role of consent and autonomy. Especially for the male circumcision, it must not be coerced. All procedures and testing should be done with the utmost privacy and confidentiality.

There is also concern about how Umhlanga truly mobilizes women’s empowerment and addresses gender roles. Historically, it has served to promote chastity among girls, and navigating culture and gender roles has sparked a debate on the role of dance and its intersection with health. To fully promote human rights, key health interventions must be communicated in ways that avoid exploitation or disrespect of cultural contexts.

Human Rights

An observable truth from Eswatini and the role Umghlanga has in the community is seen through its role in promoting female empowerment. Not only are young girls able to feel empowered in their own self, but they also get the chance to gain access to tools critical to gaining control over their health decisions. Especially by supporting rural and underserved communities, this opportunity facilitates increased accessibility to health resources, mobilizes key interventions closer to the community, and ensures equity in the mobilization process.

Overall, Umhlanga is a key cultural event for young Swati girls across the country and has a unique role in supporting public health in the kingdom. It is key for additional integrations to be explored through the country, because when culture and health align, communities are not just healthier, they are freer and more empowered.

Morocco’s Gen Z Protests – A Fight for Human Rights

On a September night, hundreds of young Moroccans gathered outside Hassan II Hospital in Agadir. In hand? Candles for a woman who recently passed while giving birth due to delayed medical advice. Her death was not just a tragedy; instead, it was a spark that brought hundreds of Moroccan youth together, demanding better healthcare, education, and dignity.

Beginning on September 27th, 2025, hundreds of protesters stormed the streets in Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Meknes, and Tangier. Of these individuals, 400+ arrests have been made, and at least two have been killed. The extent of the protest makes it the most significant youth movement in Morocco since 2011.

Photo 1: Protestor getting detained in Meknes, Morocco.Credit: Yousra Bounuar

Photo 1: Protestor getting detained in Meknes, Morocco.
Credit: Yousra Bounuar

What is Gen Z?

Gen Z is made up of young individuals born between 1997 and 2012. Equipped with technological savvy, Gen Z is known to be the most digitally immersed group to date. This unique knowledge strengthens their ability to connect and elicit change.

Global Protests

The protests in Morocco come at a time when Gen Z around the world are organizing with one another. Examples around the world include Nepal, where a recent ban on social media to silence an anti-corruption campaign sparked backlash; Madagascar, where youth are demanding that the government address high levels of poverty and corruption; and Peru, where protesters are also demanding that the state fight corruption. All of this represents a historic trend of Gen Z being known as a generation that seeks momentous change.

The Beginning

The protests in Morocco represent anger towards a system stretched thin. Over the past few years, Morocco has faced myriad burdens that have impacted the community significantly. There is significant youth unemployment, with around 22.1% of youth in the country being unemployed. This limits their ability to support their families and to find opportunities that would support upward socioeconomic mobility. 

Beyond this, there are additional burdens that impact Morocco’s healthcare abilities. One is the low doctor-to-patient ratio; especially in the more southern regions, 7.8 doctors can serve around 10,000 patients, which is quite far from the WHO’s recommended ratio. This is seen in tandem with the high maternal mortality rate of women in the country, which stands at around 70 deaths per 100,000 births. Clearly, there are significant disparities that impact the health outcomes of those around the country.

Whilst all of this was happening, the state continued to invest in the FIFA 2030 World Cup stadium. This investment was significant, with billions of dirhams being allocated to build stadiums at the same time that hundreds of healthcare facilities were underfunded. 

Photo 2: Police blocking protestors in Meknes, Morrocco. Credit: Yousra Bounuar
Photo 2: Police blocking protestors in Meknes, Morrocco.
Credit: Yousra Bounuar

The Turning Point

The nuances of the burdens faced by Moroccans across the country elicited tensions that bubbled into a full-on protest, catalyzed by the death of a young expectant mother. As the vigil began, hashtags began to flood Moroccan social media. From #GenZ212 to #WeDeserveBetter, thousands were speaking out for the need for investment in the community rather than in stadiums. From education to healthcare, protestors across the country were advocating for additional resources to be funneled to communities, rather than foreign investors. These protests mobilized throughout the entire country, and, as expected, the increased presence of activists led to a corresponding rise in police presence.

Though many protesters were peaceful, armed police used armored vehicles and tear gas to impact the protestors. Videos circulated of rubber bullets and tear gas being administered to protestors. This, in combination with the detention of journalists, resulted in public disorder. The infringement of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression resulted in dangerous outcomes for many involved. With over 400 detained, 37 charged, and at least two deaths, the effects of government intervention are undeniable. It is true that, as a way to address the qualms of the young protestors, the government worked to mobilize social reforms to support development across the country, mainly in rural areas. However, this was in conjunction with the critical increase of police conducting mass arrests and abusing peaceful demonstrators.

The World Is Watching

The violation of various human rights has met with protests in Morocco. By limiting freedom of assembly and engaging in increased policing of expression with the censorship of journalists, there are many explicit violations of human rights that have occurred as a result of the protests. Additionally, the right to health and work are being violated by the underfunded healthcare facilities and unemployment crisis, which creates the need for action. As Morocco is a signatory to both the ICCPR and ICESCR, it is integral that the country upholds these rights not just on paper, but in practice as well. Right now, the current situation is rife with suppression, neglect, and censorship — in direct opposition to the mandates of the ICCPR and ICESCR.

Most recently, the United Nations Human Rights Office called for restraint. This was focused on being able to respect citizens’ right to assembly. With Morocco’s current rank as 129th out of 180 countries on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, the crisis demonstrates the need for sustainable change in the country.

 

The Need for Reform

Morocco can work and explore ways to improve the outcomes for its country. The youth in Morocco are not calling for a revolution: they are calling for reform. With improved hospital systems and jobs that sustain families, they want a country that enforces institutions and protects and uplifts its citizenry. 

It is essential that Morocco upholds its human rights obligations over international partnerships. When working with the international community, all partners should work to ensure that sports and trade do not come at the expense of the community, accountability, and justice.

“Hidden in Plain Sight”: Child Sex Trafficking in Alabama

On a humid summer morning in 2025, investigators in Bibb County, Alabama, followed a tip to a property behind a small home in the city of Brent. They say they discovered an underground bunker that had been repurposed into a site of horrific abuse involving at least 10 children, ages 3 to 15. Seven individuals, some of them related to the victims, were arrested on charges that included human trafficking, rape, sexual torture, and kidnapping. The sheriff called it the worst case he had seen in three decades, and more arrests could still come as the investigation develops.

Adobe Stock. File #: 297986967; ‘Shadows in a dark black room.’ By Светлана Евграфова

Stories like this are shocking, but they are not isolated. Sex trafficking thrives in secrecy and shame, and it depends on community silence to survive. This post explains what sex trafficking is under federal and Alabama law, how recent state legislation increased penalties, what warning signs look like in everyday settings, and exactly how to report concerns safely.

What the Law Means by “Sex Trafficking”

Federal law (TVPA & 18 U.S.C. § 1591)

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is the main federal law to fight human trafficking. It created programs to prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and prosecute traffickers. A key part of this law is 18 U.S.C. § 1591, which makes sex trafficking a serious federal crime. It says that anyone who recruits, transports, or profits from someone in sex trafficking, especially minors, or adults forced by fraud, threats, or coercion, can face very long prison sentences and hefty fines. The law focuses on both holding traffickers accountable and assisting survivors in rebuilding their lives. Importantly, force, fraud, or coercion does not need to be proven when the victim is under 18. That is the bright line of federal law: a child cannot consent to commercial sex.

Adobe Stock. File #: 298570791; ‘Stop child abuse. Human is not a product.’ By AtjananC.

Alabama makes human trafficking a serious crime under its criminal code.

  • First-degree trafficking (Ala. Code § 13A-6-152): This covers forcing someone into sexual servitude or exploiting a minor for sex.
  • Second-degree trafficking (Ala. Code § 13A-6-153): This includes recruiting, transporting, or making money from trafficking, even if the person isn’t directly exploiting the victim.

In April 2024, Alabama passed the “Sound of Freedom Act” (HB 42). This law increased penalties: if someone is convicted of first-degree trafficking involving a minor, they must receive a life sentence, making the punishment even stronger than the usual Class A felony.

Before HB 42, Alabama’s Class A felonies carried 10–99 years or life. The new law removes judicial discretion for minor-victim cases by requiring at least life imprisonment upon conviction for first-degree trafficking.

Adobe Stock; File #209721316; ‘Offender criminal locked in jail’. By methaphum

Why “Coercion” Isn’t Always What You Think

In the public imagination, trafficking looks like kidnapping by strangers. Sometimes it is. More often, it looks like grooming and manipulation by someone the child knows, an older “boyfriend,” a family member, a family acquaintance, someone who offers rides, cash, substances, or a place to crash. Under both federal and Alabama law, proof of force, fraud, or coercion is not required when the victim is under 18, because the law recognizes how easily minors can be exploited.

Where Sex Trafficking Hides—And the Red Flags

Trafficking can occur in short-term rentals, hotels, truck stops, private residences, and online (through social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps). No community is immune – rural, suburban, and urban areas all see cases. You may notice a child who:

  • Is suddenly disengaged from school and activities
  • Has unexplained injuries
  • Has new “friends” and gifts
  • Has an adult who answers for them
  • Has restricted movement
  • Has signs of deprivation
  • Appears coached in what to say.
Adobe Stock: File #:176601576. Woman sitting on bed in room with light from window. By yupachingping

Educators, coaches, healthcare providers, youth pastors, and even neighbors are often the first to spot concerns. Alabama’s recent case in Bibb County proves that abuse networks can be family-linked and community-embedded, not organized by only outsiders. Trust your instincts; the law backs you up when you report in good faith.

If You See Something: How to Report in Alabama

  • Immediate danger? Call 911.
  • Children (under 18): In Alabama, make a report to your county Department of Human Resources (DHR) or local law enforcement. DHR maintains a county-by-county contact directory and guidance on how to report child abuse/neglect.
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7): 1-888-373-7888, text 233733 (BeFree), or chat online. Advocates provide confidential help and can connect callers to local services.

A note for mandated reporters:

Alabama’s mandated reporting law (Ala. Code § 26-14-3) requires many professionals, including teachers, healthcare workers, counselors, clergy, and others, to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately. When in doubt, report; you do not have to prove trafficking to act.

What “Safe Harbor” Means for Children

Across the U.S., Safe Harbor policies aim to treat exploited minors as victims who need services, not as offenders. While states differ in how these protections are implemented, the core idea is consistent: a child who has been bought and sold should receive trauma-informed care and not face prosecution for acts stemming from exploitation. If you work with youth, be aware that Alabama’s human trafficking statutes align with this child-protection lens, and service providers can help navigate options.

A Real Case, Real Lessons

Return to Bibb County. According to reports, some victims in the alleged bunker case were kept underground, drugged, and “sold” to abusers; one suspect is accused of distributing child sexual abuse material. Community members later asked how this could have continued for years without intervention. The uncomfortable answer: it’s easy to miss what you’re not looking for, and it’s hard to report what you can’t imagine happening. That’s why awareness, clear reporting pathways, and strong laws all matter.

Adobe Stock: File #: 495335081 ‘Hidden in plain sight. Closeup shot of a beautiful young womans eye’. By Marco v.d Merwe/peopleimages.com

Practical Steps You Can Take This Week

  1. Save the Hotline: Put 1-888-373-7888 in your phone under “Human Trafficking Hotline.” Please share it with colleagues and students in age-appropriate ways.
  2. Know your local contact: Look up your county DHR reporting number and bookmark it. If you work in a school or clinic, post it in staff areas.
  3. Review indicators: Spend 10 minutes with DHS’s Blue Campaign indicators and guidance for identifying victims. Consider how these apply in your setting (classroom, clinic, church, etc.).
  4. Clarify your duty to report: If you’re a mandated reporter, review Alabama’s summary materials and your organization’s internal protocol to be prepared before a crisis.
  5. Combat myths: Remember, children cannot consent to commercial sex, and proof of force or violence is not required for a child sex trafficking case under federal law.

Bottom Line

Sex trafficking can surface anywhere—including small Alabama towns. Federal law treats any commercial sexual exploitation of a minor as trafficking, full stop; Alabama now backs that stance with one of the harshest penalties in the country when the victim is a child. Awareness is not enough unless it’s paired with action: see the signs, make the call, and let the system take care of the rest.

Adobe Express Stock Images. File #: 300469288; ‘IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT’. By New Africa

Aid Interrupted: Gaza’s Famine and the Global Sumud Flotilla

Delivery of humanitarian aid by military helicopter. Source: Adobe Stock. By: photos_adil. Asset ID#: 322148549.
Image 1: Delivery of humanitarian aid by military helicopter. Source: Adobe Stock. By: photos_adil. Asset ID#: 322148549.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)’s Article 25 and Article 22 state that every human has the right to live with dignity, have healthcare, and enjoy adequate living standards. Specifically, Article 25 affirms that all humans have the right to ample health, food, medical care, clothing, housing, etc. Similarly, Article 22 discusses how there are economic, social, and cultural rights for all people. 

In addition to the UDHR, International Humanitarian Law covers the protection of civilians, religious military personnel, medical personnel, injured soldiers, and prisoners of war. These people under the protection are to be treated humanely, even in combat. Along with that, hospitals, ambulances, and medical supplies are supposed to be protected. It is in violation of international humanitarian law to target civilian infrastructure. These laws apply to both sides, regardless of who started the conflict. 

All humans have the right to medical care, food, and water. These rights are explicitly discussed in the UDHR and protected under International Humanitarian Law. This blog will be examining the famine in Gaza and the restriction of humanitarian aid. The contents of this blog were researched and written prior to the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the early part of October 2025. As such, this blog will only discuss the famine in Gaza, the Global Sumud Flotilla, and Israel’s block on humanitarian aid. 

The Famine in Gaza:

Palestinians gather to receive food from charity organization. Source: Adobe Stock. By: Tayiba Photography. Asset ID#: 1489429287.
Image 2: Palestinians gather to receive food from charity organization. Source: Adobe Stock. By: Tayiba Photography. Asset ID#: 1489429287.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) completed a famine review on the Gaza strip in August 2025. The levels of famine are measured on a scale of 1-5, with each level increasing in severity. In the case of Gaza, three phases are relevant: phase 3, phase 4, and phase 5.  Phase 3 is considered a crisis, meaning households experience gaps in food consumption and high levels of malnutrition. Phase 4 is classified as an emergency; this means that households have significant gaps in food consumption, which causes high acute malnutrition and death. Phase 5 is considered a famine. This means that families lack basic needs and food, which have caused starvation, destitution, death, and devastating levels of acute malnutrition. 

In late August of 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared a Famine in Gaza, and the IPC predicted that this famine would increase exponentially within two months. Furthermore, they anticipated that around 640,000 people would experience IPC Phase 5 starvation, 1.14 million people would experience IPC Phase 4, and close to 396,000 people would experience IPC Phase 3 of starvation. These figures not only reflect a humanitarian emergency, but a systemic denial of basic rights.

In order to be classified as a famine, three requirements have to be met: acute malnutrition, extreme food deprivation, and starvation related deaths. All three of these conditions have been met in Gaza. Severe acute malnutrition, as stated by the National Library of Medicine, includes the presence of both severe wasting and oedema on both feet. 

Severe wasting means that the weight to height ratio shows extreme weight loss and/or failure to gain weight. Oedema is a condition with hyperpigmentation and swelling within the feet, indicating an extreme lack of dietary protein. When applying pressure to feet that have oedema, a dent will remain after the pressure is lifted.

In July 2025, 39% of households in Gaza reported that they go multiple days without food, and 12,000 children were reported to be acutely malnourished. Additionally, drinking water in Gaza is extremely limited and sanitation services have decreased significantly. In response to the famine, the United Nation (UN) continues to call for a ceasefire with the release of hostages in order for much needed aid to enter Gaza. 

The Global Sumud Flotilla:

Palestinian flags on the flotillas from Barcelona. Source: Adobe Stock. By Roman. Asset ID#: 1739738944.
Image 3: Palestinian flags on the flotillas from Barcelona. Source: Adobe Stock. By: Roman. Asset ID#: 1739738944.

According to the Maritime Injury Center, nearly two-thirds of the ocean waters are international, with the areas surrounding nations split into different jurisdictions and territories. Each Nation with a coast has approximately 12 nautical miles of territory from its coast. Anything beyond the 12 nautical miles is considered international waters or the high seas. The respective nations’ laws are enforceable within and only within its 12 nautical miles. 

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona on August 31, 2025. The flotilla consisted of around 50 ships, traveling with the intent to deliver critical humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza strip. The ships carried food, medicine, baby formula, and other essential humanitarian supplies. Along with the aid, various activists from different countries were on board the ships. 

After weeks of journeying, the Global Sumud Flotilla was ultimately intercepted by Israel in the beginning of October 2025. It is estimated that the first ships were stopped around 70 nautical miles from the coastline of Gaza, further than the previously established 12-mile standard. The flotilla was halted in international waters, and the activists on board were taken into Israeli custody. Under International Humanitarian Law, humanitarian aid workers are protected, in which case the detainment and mistreatment of such people is a legal violation.

Amnesty International released statements on October 7, 2025, regarding the safety of the doctors, activists, human rights defenders, and journalists that were detained during the interception. They also reported that the detainment of members of the flotilla and the blocking of humanitarian aid was an international humanitarian law violation. Israel’s interception raises questions under both maritime and humanitarian law. 

Humanitarian Aid Blockade on Gaza:

Palestinian flag in front of buildings with black smoke and fire. Source: Adobe Stock. By: diy13. Asset ID#: 662345673.
Image 4: Palestinian flag in front of buildings with black smoke and fire. Source: Adobe Stock. By: diy13. Asset ID#: 662345673.

According to Human Rights Watch, Israel’s block on humanitarian aid from entering Gaza is in violation of International Humanitarian Law. Despite the fact that Israel is a warring party in opposition to Gaza, the nation is still required to allow humanitarian aid. 

Years earlier, in 2007, Israel implemented a naval blockade on the Gaza strip after they determined the area to be under Hamas’s control. Since then, they have placed sanctions and restrictions on what is and is not allowed in Gaza, which have varied throughout the years. After Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 Israelis dead and 240 taken hostage, restrictions were strengthened. 

With the ongoing famine in the Gaza strip, humanitarian aid is essential to the survival of Gazan people, though the UN has reported an increase in restrictions and blocks on aid entering and moving within Gaza. While humanitarians have been able to distribute food to some people, it is not enough to sufficiently combat the famine. Aid movements within Gaza are being blocked, and the lack of consistency for inspection rules have created delays. 

Inconsistent inspections and outright blocks have only worsened the famine’s impact on the people of Gaza. As stated in International Humanitarian Law, a state has a legal obligation to allow the influx of humanitarian aid and blocking such aid is in violation of the law. 

Conclusion:

As of Monday, October 13, 2025, the ceasefire deal has resulted in the release of 20 Israeli hostages that were taken by Hamas in October 2023. Along with that, Palestinian detainees were released. Though the current ceasefire is fragile, there is hope that with the deal, critical humanitarian aid can enter Gaza. 

Without sufficient aid, medical care, food, water, and sanitation, the famine will continue to grow and more civilians will suffer. However, there is a small hope that with the ceasefire, Gazans will have more aid. Allowing humanitarian aid is a legal obligation. To deny and deprive people of such aid would be against the UDHR and in violation of International Humanitarian Law. 

Democracy for Sale: Big Tech’s Silent Takeover

Democracy for Sale: Big Tech’s Silent Takeover

 
KhunKorn Studio. (n.d.). Hand human finger touch cyborg robot white 3d rendering. Adobe Stock Images. https://stock.adobe.com/images/hand-human-finger-touch-cyborg-robot-white-3d-rendering/572824180

In today’s world, technology is more prevalent than ever, shaping nearly every aspect of daily life. Much of this influence can be traced back to a small group of companies known as the Magnificent Seven. Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Nvidia, and Tesla dominate the market, drive economic growth, and lead major tech trends.  These companies have a major concentration of market power in fields such as artificial intelligence, social media, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure. Apple dominates consumer tech, Amazon controls nearly 40% of the U.S. e-commerce market, and Meta owns three of the world’s largest social platforms. This gives them immense influence over both the economy and society at large. With everything in the palm of their hands, there have been concerns raised over data privacy, misinformation, and anti-competitiveness, exemplified by issues such as the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data breach and Amazon’s AI hiring bias scandal. As users of these services, we are often forced to accept practices that negatively affect our personal rights. These practices affect basic human rights stated in articles 12 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Privacy is compromised through data tracking, expression is influenced by algorithmic bias, and consumer choice is reduced by monopolistic control.

Article 21 of the UDHR states that “Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.” This includes the right to access information. The U.S. reflects this principle through the Freedom of Information Act, which ensures transparency in public service. When these private corporations control the flow of that information, they compromise the transparency that people have a right to. By controlling things such as search results and advertising, big tech influences the information that citizens see, which can impact public opinion.

The American flag waving in front of a classical building with tall, ornate columns, conveying a sense of patriotism and grandeur.
Nomad_Soul. (n.d.). Washington DC Monuments with USA. Adobe Stock Images. https://stock.adobe.com/images/washington-dc-monuments-with-usa/143177910

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice filed lawsuits against Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Google, alleging that they built illegal monopolies that harm consumers and suppress innovation. This resulted in an August 2024 U.S. court ruling that Google did maintain an illegal monopoly on online search and a second trial ruling in April 2025 that they had a monopoly in online advertising. One of the main arguments in these cases was Google’s relationship with Apple. Google has claimed that making its search engine the default choice on Apple devices doesn’t restrict consumer choice, since users are technically free to switch. However, the fact that Google paid Apple $18 billion in 2021 alone to remain the default search engine suggests otherwise. This appears to be a classic example of anti-competitive behavior, where companies will use tactics like buying out smaller rivals or using exclusivity contracts. These methods ensure that once these companies dominate a market, they make it nearly impossible for rivals to challenge them.

Through the usage of acquisitions, restrictive contracts, and financial power, companies are able to secure that domination. In the e-commerce market, Independent sellers who rely on Amazon’s platform are often faced with strict controls that limit their autonomy. This behavior has not gone unnoticed. Amazon’s trial is set for October 2026, and the outcome could reshape not only Amazon’s operations but the future of online retail.

Today’s concerns about tech giants mirror debates from the late 19th century. During the Gilded Age, trusts like Standard Oil used their financial power to buy out competitors, corner markets, and control prices. These practices eventually led to the Sherman Antitrust Act and landmark antitrust rulings that sought to restore competition. While researching this topic, I found myself making comparisons more than once. These digital monopolies resemble industrial trusts. Like Standard Oil, they leverage size and resources to dominate markets, eliminate competition, and limit consumer choice. From a human rights standpoint, there should be more urgency of applying antitrust principles to modern technology.

Close-up of hands using a smartphone in a dimly lit setting. The focus is on the screen and fingers, with blurred lights in the background, suggesting nighttime.
Syda Productions. (n.d.). Business, Technology and People concept – Close up of businesswoman hands with smartphone. Adobe Stock Images. https://stock.adobe.com/images/business-technology-and-people-concept-close-up-of-businesswoman-hands-with-smartphone/223178955

The problem goes beyond markets. Just how Standard Oil shaped politics back then, today’s tech giants extend beyond their businesses and into the functions of government itself. Some sectors of governments outsource aspects of their work to private tech firms, blurring the line between corporate power and public authority. For example, police forces hire private hacking firms to gain access to devices. When unelected corporations wield this kind of power, accountability shifts from government officials to CEOs and shareholders. Democracy is dependent upon government responsibility and honesty, and when this is compromised, the power of the citizens is taken away.

Some companies use private technology to process data or discriminate unintentionally through algorithms. The spread of misinformation and propaganda has been given space to thrive on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Harmful rhetoric often spreads unchecked, while some political content is selectively censored by being removed or restricting accounts. Users are exposed to unchecked information that threatens informed civic engagement. For example, during the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic, misinformation, election conspiracy theories, and anti-vaccine propaganda was rampant on social media platforms.

Four women protest holding "Love" and "Peace" signs with peace symbols. They stand united, some with fists raised, in front of a historic building.
Cultura Creative. (n.d.). Activists holding peace signs protesting in street. Adobe Stock Images. https://stock.adobe.com/images/activists-holding-peace-signs-protesting-in-street/481480070

To protect human rights, there need to be accountability mechanisms and transparency requirements for digital platforms similar to those imposed on industries like food, medicine, and automobiles. Overseas, the European Union’s Digital Services Act now requires large tech platforms to disclose how their algorithms recommend content and to remove harmful misinformation quickly. This could be a potential approach that could serve as a model for U.S. regulators. Protecting democracy in this new digital age also requires a human rights stance. When companies control markets, digital infrastructure and the flow of information, they hold control over citizens’ freedom to choose. The rise of the Magnificent Seven has fueled incredible technological innovation, but their dominance is increasingly monopolistic in nature. Consumers deserve a market that rewards innovation, protects privacy, and ensures real choice. Addressing these challenges requires both awareness and advocacy. As citizens, we can push for stronger digital privacy laws and hold elected officials accountable for enforcing antitrust and transparency standards. We could also support open-source alternatives to big tech platforms. Technology is meant to serve the people, not the other way around. The history of antitrust regulation shows that concentrated corporate power can be challenged, and, for the sake of democracy and human rights, it must be.

Access to Reproductive Health Care as an Economic Multiplier

In June 2022, I had just graduated high school when Roe v Wade was overturned, and it was impossible not to react to the news. This illustrates how one of the most controversial topics in the U.S. over the past few years has been reproductive rights. The discourse on what is right and wrong is never-ending, and what should be part of human rights and necessary healthcare has become a political topic rather than a medical one.

When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, many saw it as a violation of the Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has a right to necessary medical care, social services, and the right to security. If medical care is a part of basic human rights, how can it be taken away? This has become an ongoing issue in the United States, as many people argue that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade represents a clear violation of human rights, given that women in multiple states are now unable to obtain the procedures they need because doctors fear losing their licenses. Aside from the clear medical implications, this has and will continue to affect aspects of life that people don’t even think about.

Factors of Economic Growth

Economic development is an essential part of a country’s growth. Factors like human capital – defined as the skills, knowledge, and abilities provided by individuals -, natural resources, capital formation, technological development, and social and political forces all play crucial roles in the economic progress of a country. But what happens when one of these becomes compromised? Although all five are essential, one stands out as the foundation for the rest.

Without human capital, the other factors are simply not possible to achieve. Technological developments don’t happen overnight, and government policies don’t spawn out of thin air. Therefore, it is easy to understand that the more labor force participation there is, the greater the push for development and growth. With this in mind, one would assume that the biggest challenge would be encouraging as many people as possible to enter the labor force.

To achieve this, there are several key factors that are necessary for growing human capital– one of those being access to affordable healthcare. Since 1965, women’s labor force participation has been going up (with exceptions for COVID). In 1960, the FDA approved the distribution of the birth control pill, and less than a decade later, in 1973, Roe v. Wade was passed, challenging abortion bans and ruling them unconstitutional.

Labor Force Participation in the US

Woman in a contemplative state
Woman in a contemplative state
fizkes, Adobe Stock

     As of 2025, women reportedly make up 47% of the labor force, meaning the distribution between working men and women is practically equal. Access to reproductive care has given women and families an ability to have control over their lives. By delaying having kids, women have been able to increase their participation in the labor force and pursue higher education, including undergraduate and post graduate degrees. This ultimately led to earning higher wages. So, it begs the question, if the goal is to grow human capital and grow the economy, why would a government ban one of the things that allows women to have a higher labor force participation?

Abortion as a State Right

In the US, it is expected that 25% of women will undergo an abortion at some point, making it one of the most common health procedures for women. In many areas, the criminalization of abortion access is seen as a human rights violation, and it is known that criminalizing abortions causes a plethora of problems. Getting rid of safe abortion does not eliminate abortion, instead it makes it dangerous and scary (Berer, 2023).

After abortion laws were left up to individual states in the US, it became clear that the states that outlawed abortion not only have higher maternal mortality rates, but also twice as many teen births compared to the states where abortion remains legal.  While teen births have been on the decline since before the ban, the same cannot be said for maternal deaths. Maternal deaths are more than twice as high in states that do not allow abortion, and worse yet, maternal deaths have been on the rise since before the abortion ban (GEPI, 2023). Although those living in states that now have abortion bans were already less likely to seek abortions prior to the ban, the rise in deaths post-ban has noticeably increased.

A hand holding a protest sign that says keep your laws off my body.
Protest sign for abortion bans
Adobe Stock, JP Photography

Future Reproductive Rights Issues

In the coming years, due to the abortion ban, more women could end up in situations where they have to stay home to take care of children and are thus unable to enter the workforce. Pregnancies in young women will likely increase, making it difficult for them to obtain higher education degrees, which could ultimately limit them to a life of staying at home or holding a series of lower-paying, temporary jobs.

Some might argue that in the past, women did not obtain college degrees and worked stable income jobs their whole lives. As much as that is true, it fails to consider the fact that the world is different now than it was 30 years ago.  Over the years, the competition in the job market has significantly increased, and obtaining a higher degree can be the determinant of job stability. The more people who earn degrees, the harder it becomes to compete for a job for those who don’t have one. Which makes it now, more than ever, so important for women to be able to rely on the fact that they will be able to get affordable reproductive healthcare when they need it.

Women as a Part of the Labor Force

Allowing women autonomy over their body supports economic growth. The more people who have entered the labor force, especially those who are educated, the more development and technological innovation will follow. Women will be able to work and start families when and if they want to. By doing this, there is also a higher guarantee that more children will grow up in stable households and go on to obtain higher education. There is almost a domino effect that is created which will multiply through the years. Access to reproductive healthcare serves as an economic multiplier.

Being able to obtain the necessary medical care that someone needs should never be a political issue. Stripping away the rights to abortion and possibly contraceptive care clearly violates the Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are not and should not be rooted in political agendas. In a world full of injustices, it remains important to stand up for the greater good and bring awareness and education to those around you.

Gendered Vulnerability in Afghanistan’s Earthquake Crisis

 

Earthquakes destruction in Afghanistan.
Image 1: Afghanistan earthquake’s destruction. Source: Yahoo Images.

Recently, two large-scale earthquakes hit Afghanistan, furthering the dire humanitarian crisis. Earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.0 to 6.2 are likely to cause significant damage in largely populated areas. The first, which was a magnitude of 6.0, occurred on August 31. This resulted in around 2,000 deaths, caused thousands to sustain injuries, and damaged health facilities and homes. Unfortunately, four days later, the second earthquake hit, this one being a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. 

In the aftereffects of natural disasters, the people most affected are women and children. In Afghanistan, where women’s rights are being heavily restricted, their ability to access humanitarian aid is limited. Previously, in October 2023, two 6.3 magnitude earthquakes hit Afghanistan. This event and its effects on the women and children was written about in a blog by Delisha. If you would like to read about that, check out her blog, Deadly Earthquake in Afghanistan Magnifies Gender Apartheid Under Taliban Control. For an overview of women’s rights violations in Afghanistan, read my previous blog, A Woman’s World in Afghanistan: An Update on Women’s Rights Violations in Afghanistan. 

For this blog, we will be looking at the most recent earthquake, its effects on women and children, and the humanitarian aid response. Throughout this blog, keep in mind a couple of articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Article 18 relates to women’s freedom of movement and Article 25, right to food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Throughout the Taliban’s recent reign, these rights have continuously been violated. Frequent earthquakes have furthered the humanitarian crisis and highlighted women’s rights issues. 

The Devastating Effects of Earthquakes in Afghanistan 

Traditional Afghan Homes
Image 2: Traditional Afghan Homes. Source: Yahoo Images.

On average, earthquakes kill around 560 people every year in Afghanistan, making it a common natural disaster. The country sits between the Eurasian tectonic plate and the Indian plate, hence why earthquakes are so frequent. The common house in rural Afghanistan is made out of mudbrick, wood, and stone. With frequent earthquakes each year, this causes significant damage and destruction to many homes. 

The Kunar region has been especially affected by the recent earthquakes. Located in the northeastern area of Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan, this remote area had many of their homes destroyed. In response to the destruction, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has provided medical aid to areas like Kunar. Although they are providing support and medical aid, many people still struggle with food security due to the loss of livestock (goats and cows) during the earthquakes. 

Along with the ICRC, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been offering food, shelter, and medical aid. After the initial earthquakes, around 85% of those interviewed by IRC had no shelter to sleep in. All of their homes had been destroyed. On average, $80 million in damage occurs every year in Afghanistan due to earthquakes. Because of the recent cutback on humanitarian aid from foreign entities and the rising restrictions on women and girls, the crisis continues to grow.

Women’s Struggles Amidst the Aftermath of Earthquakes

Humanitarian aid distribution in Afghanistan.
Image 3: Humanitarian aid distribution in Afghanistan. Source: Yahoo Images.

The Kunar region has experienced high levels of destruction. As the weather gets colder, the need for more aid becomes increasingly imperative. Around 50% of Afghanistan’s population relies on food aid, but the restriction of movement within Afghanistan makes it difficult for people to gain access to humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies. These restrictions have made it almost impossible for women and girls to receive this aid, a problem compounded by the fact that 422 health facilities have either closed or have been suspended.

The majority of people injured or killed during the earthquakes were women and girls. Women and girls are not allowed to be in public without a male escort. However, with homes destroyed and sometimes the men and/or sons being killed in the earthquakes, women are left with little means to survive. This makes it difficult to find services or to receive medical aid. 

UN Women is currently appealing for $2.5 million to increase the number of women-led response teams helping in Afghanistan, boost access to services, and create a 6-to-12 month emergency response. This would allow for more critical materials, such as blankets, clothing, and cooking utensils, to be distributed amongst families that remain in temporary shelters. It would also create spaces that women and girls can meet and receive aid. 

The Taliban’s Gender-based Persecution

Afghan women standing in line with Burkas on.
Image 4: Afghan women standing in a line. Source: Yahoo Images.

Since the Taliban took over control of Afghanistan in 2021, the rights of women and girls have been stripped away. Journalists have been detained, and anyone who would oppose the regime has been silenced. 

Donor governments, such as the United States of America, have made significant cuts to aid. Neighboring countries, like Iran and Pakistan, have returned millions of refugees, causing the number of displaced people in Afghanistan to grow. 

As stated in a recent post of mine, women and girls are not allowed to be educated past the sixth grade. Women are also not allowed to attend university, have jobs, leave the house without a male relative, or visit public spaces. 

De facto security has prevented Afghan women workers from entering into the UN Compound in Kabul, Afghanistan. Recently, security had been placed in front of multiple UN entrances to monitor people entering. The Taliban has also restricted women national staff from traveling into the country. Interfering with UN missions is a violation of international law. 

As such, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant on July 8, 2025 for the arrests of Haibatullah Akhundeadal (the Taliban’s leader) and Abdul Hakim Haqqani (the Taliban’s chief justice). The charge of the crime is gender-based persecution, which is a crime against humanity. Crimes against humanity are large-scale crimes against civilians. This includes torture, sexual violence, apartheid, and in this case, gender-based persecution. 

This issue of gender-based persecution in Afghanistan has long limited women from receiving aid when disaster hits. It is important that Afghan women’s rights issues continue to get international attention. This way their struggles and fights do not go unnoticed. 

What You Can Do

Entire villages have been destroyed, thousands of people have died, and even more have been injured and displaced. Women and girls’ access to humanitarian aid is limited and hinges on whether or not they have a male relative to escort them or if there are female humanitarian aid workers. Organizations like the International Refugee Committee (IRC), UN Women, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been working to provide aid to the areas most affected by the earthquakes. If you want to help and are able, you can look into donating to any of these organizations.