Miss World Bulgaria 2019, Margo Cooper, was on a trip to India, in the beginning of the year and used this time to make a short film on sex trafficking. She feels that human trafficking, especially sex trafficking is an antihuman tragedy and it is an ugly spot on the world. She says it’s a multimillion business in various parts of the world and feels poverty is a root cause of this. “Poverty is causing this problem. It is like a multimillion business. In many countries police are also involved in the crime, so it becomes even harder to try to make a difference. Human trafficking and especially sex trafficking is an antihuman tragedy and an ugly spot on the world. It needs to be cured and defeated on all levels. Every person can make a difference by raising awareness, helping organisations and reporting crime,” Margo said.
On her trip to India, she got in touch with Triveni Acharya, the founder of Rescue Foundation. Founded in 2000, the organisation has so far rescued over 5000 girls and rehabilitated many more. Triveni’s 20 years of dedication to serving these girls left her impressed. According to data, in 2014, 76% of people trafficked in India were women and girls. Over 2 million women and children are trafficked for sex in India. Margo feels it’s easier for people to turn a blind eye to this problem rather than showing their concern. “It’s a very unpopular subject to highlight because people don’t know that red-light districts are full of young girls who are forced to do so, they are not doing it by their own choice. I believe in humanity and I know that there are a lot of people who would like to help but don’t know how,” she added. Margo interacted with the girls in Triveni’s foundation and even got them engaged in fun activities. Sharing her experience, she said, “When I met these girls at Rescue Foundation, I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know how exactly it’s going to be but they filled my heart with love. They are such pure souls, and I was devastated thinking of what they have been through.”
“It’s a very common story where a girl was sold by her own family or was lied that she is going to work as a cleaner and was taken there. The conditions are horrible, some of them live in cages and there is no light at the end of a tunnel, no hope for them. All of them are coming from rural areas of India or neighbouring countries,” she added. The road to recovery for these girls is very long, some even take as long as three months just to reveal their names. Margo feels that local society and people should back NGOs with their rescue operation and also with donations. “There is always an option to provide items and services which are needed. Besides the basic needs, it’s important to provide a professional education to these girls and also if some companies can help them with job placements. Because they are children and they need to get some positive experience, it’s responsibility of the society to provide them with a good life once they are rescued. People sometimes don’t donate because they think that small amount can’t help but i can assure you that even a rupee helps,” she said.
Margo is looking forward to visiting India soon, once the Covid-19 restrictions are eased. “I will visit Rescue Foundation again because we are already friends and I’m planning to film another project as well,” she signed off.
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