As a Nigerian women’s rights lawyer and activist who partners with survivors of rape and sex trafficking in West Africa, I’ve become accustomed to dealing with both the best and worst of humanity. I view my work at Pathfinders as a sacred gift which affords me the privilege to celebrate our shared humanity, yet simultaneously […]
Pathfinders’ Survivors Launch New Businesses!
DECEMBER 2016- Benin City, Nigeria. Because we value Empowerment, we recently launched several small businesses in fashion design, clothing sales, soft drinks sales and hair make up for some of our repatriating survivors who returned to Nigeria after being trafficked to Russia. Others are currently receiving vocational skills training and or business training so that […]
Pathfinders at the ICCF Missions IDP Camp!
We are so excited to have partnered with CWFI Skill Acquisition Center on November 22, 2016 to provide vocational skills training to 39 women who were widowed by Boko Haram and are now being hosted by the ICCF Missions–Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Edo State, Nigeria. Many of these women were themselves abused by members […]
Entitlement and Sexual Violence.
When you work hard, you’re entitled to be compensated. When you pay for a meal, you’re entitled to receive it. Men, however, are not entitled to women’s bodies. A sense of entitlement is what fuels rape as a weapon of war around the world. It is what underpins the comments of the Republican nominee who […]
Hope Endures: Why the October 13, 2016 Release of 21 Chibok Girls of Nigeria Matters.
On October 13, 2016, 913 days after their April 14, 2014 abduction by Boko Haram, 21 of the 276 school girls kidnapped from their school in Chibok, Nigeria were released to the Nigerian government by Boko Haram. The Nigerian government contends that the release followed “painstaking” brokered negotiations by the Swiss government on behalf of […]
900 Days in the Lion’s Den: Has the World Abandoned the Stolen Chibok Girls of Nigeria?
It was the early hours of the morning on April 14, 2014. Martha was suddenly awakened by what had become the all-too-familiar sound of gunshots. Boko Haram, she thought. As she scurried to gather her thoughts, her husband Mark was already rushing their younger, panic stricken children out of their home in Chibok, Nigeria. […]
Pathfinders Introduces Our First Graduating Class!
BENIN CITY, Nigeria. We were so incredibly proud to have graduated our first class of trafficking survivors from our Skills Acquisition Program on August 13, 2016! We are honored to be able to partner with survivors to change horrific yesterdays into incredible tomorrows. Also in August, Pathfinders’ R. Evon Idahosa, Esq. was opportuned to speak to tens of thousands […]
Pathfinders at ICCF Missions IDP Camp!
BENIN CITY- Nigeria. On August 15 and 29, 2016, via our Hearts of Hope Project, Pathfinders provided varying services to the ICCF Missions IDP Camp in Benin City which is hosting 2,500 survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency (internally displaced persons). In addition to providing UNFPA type dignity kits (basic hygiene items) for the women and girls, […]
Pathfinders Commissions Our First ‘The Anchor’ Rehab Centre!
We are proud to announce the commissioning of our first “The Anchor” Safehouse in Benin City (Nigeria) where survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation will find refuge and be able to temporarily shelter upon repatriation from Europe and other parts of Africa. In collaboration with CWFI Skills Acquisition Centre, survivors will also receive free vocational skills/business (financial […]
Dear America, Please Stop Shooting!
(Painting by Matt Furman- follow on Instagram @_illvision) The first time I ever saw a gun was when I was 17. To this day, I still have no idea whether or not it was loaded. Although most of my memory from that evening in Atlanta has dissipated, I do remember that it felt cold—solely because […]