One of the practices that I find most devastating is the traditional West African practice called “trokosi” or “vudusi” or “ritual servitude.” Basically it’s when young virgin girls are forced to serve in traditional shrines to become “wives of the gods”. Since the priest’s sexual organs are dedicated to the gods of the shrine, in practice it means they become his sex slaves–even girls as young as 4 years old. The life these girls endure is beyond description. I remember after I interviewed one of them for the first time, I felt as if I had lifted up the lid on the very pit of hell to peep inside.

Congratulations to all who work to end slavery and human trafficking at every level.