By Kashvi Jain
*TW: rape, human trafficking, assault
Lip gloss, short dresses, heels, earings; these are all big parts of a woman's life. A women is usually defined by her physical beauty. In order for a women's physical beauty to be at the highest they have to change themselves. Apply tons of foundation to change their skin tone, wear short dresses, and even gloss their lips so they look puckery. Women are often forced to be beautiful and look good from pressure. Mainly in order to be married or liked by their partner.
Specifically theres this new phase in society where people wear “fast fashion”. Fast fashion is basically cheap and stylish trendy clothing that are worn to parties and galas. Fast fashion is actually a new concept that people are trying to use to save young women from traffickers. A lot of times traffickers kidnap women and young girls because they look homeless and radgy. But E-Town Sewing Studio has found a new way to use fashion to save girls form sex predators. “The power woven into these dresses is their ability to repel sexual predators. Experts say if a child is in rags and looks homeless, they’re more likely to be trafficked.”
Human trafficking is such a disgusting and uncivil practice. Every day women are tortured and removed of their human rights because of sex predators. “It is estimated that 20.9 million people are trafficked worldwide.” Victims of human trafficking have so many physcological effects and torture. People experience mental trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and fear. Victims also experience physical injuries including impairements and infections and sexually transmitted diseases. It is a torture as to how many people have to undergo human trafficking.
A lot of times traffickers see women with poor clothing and open clothing as targets for rape or torture. Traffickers are people who just have sexual motives and any chance they get they’ll use it to harm an innocent persons life. Having more defined, richer clothing could help reduce chances of trafficking.
The problem lies here. Why should women change their outer appearance because of fear of being trafficked? Asking women to wear more covered, closed up clothing is saying that women should hide their body and features to protect themselves from men. This is where the controversy lies. Should women protect themselves or express themselves?
Credits
Christine Mclarty, 9-5-2018, "Women sew dresses to prevent child trafficking," ABC27, https://www.abc27.com/news/local/women-sew-dresses-to-prevent-child-trafficking/
Means Of, xx-xx-xxxx, "Human Trafficking Statistics & Facts," Safe Horizon, https://www.safehorizon.org/get-informed/human-trafficking-statistics-facts/