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New York City Influencers Take a Stand Against Modern-Day Slavery
Event: Nomi Network 2011 Cocktail and Awards Ceremony: Stories of Hope. A fundraising event with all proceeds going to Nomi Network’s Global Project: an initiative where 120 at-risk and surviving women of human trafficking receive skill training in entrepreneurship and product development. This initiative ensures these formerly exploited women have the opportunity to earn fair wages and be able to provide sustainable, choice-filled lives for themselves and their families.
Who: Nomi Network (http://www.nominetwork.org/), a non-profit organization leveraging the fashion industry to eradicate sexual slavery in Cambodia - proud to be selected as a featured non-profit in MTVu's "Against Our Will" campaign, launched yesterday to educate and encourage the public to take action against modern-day slavery (http://www.againstourwill.org/take-action). Nomi Network works to empower and protect surviving and at-risk women of sex trafficking specifically in Cambodia by leveraging the fashion industry to create sustainable job and educational opportunities that otherwise don't exist. Through providing positive alternatives to remaining in the sex trade (or entering in the first place), Nomi gives women vulnerable to sex trafficking the chance at something most of us all too easily take for granted - a life with choices. Supported by people like me and you, and through spreading the word of Nomi Network's mission, we can raise awareness for what is happening and slowly but surely not only eradicate this industry that is destroying the lives of so many young girls and women, but help rehabilitate and give sustainable options to survivors and at-risk women who weren't given a choice.
What: With the support of celebrity advocates, sports figures and prominent business owners, the evening will provide an opportunity to learn about Nomi Network's influential work creating career paths and economic development for survivors and at-risk women of human trafficking through leveraging the fashion industry. Cocktails, wine & hors d'oeuvres will be served as attendees can peruse the silent auction and Nomi Network's Buy Her Bag Not Her Body ® handbag & accessories collection* (http://www.buyherbagnotherbody.com/), available for purchase on-site. The Awards Ceremony will honor socially responsible individuals and companies, including Dawn Conway of LexisNexis, receiving Nomi Network's Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
*Buy Her Bag Not Her Body ® is a line of fair-trade handbags and accessories (laptop sleeves, wallets, cosmetic bags, etc), handmade from recycled rice & fish feed bags by the women in Nomi Network's Global Initiative, with 100% of profits going right back into training and career development programs. Through these sales proceeds Nomi Network is able to offer fair, living wages and sustainable employment opportunities to give women the financial independence to choose their own life - or take it back.
Where: Scandinavia House (http://www.scandinaviahouse.org/), 58 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10016.
When: Wednesday, October 12th
Time: VIP Reception 6-7pm, Cocktails & Awards 7-9:30pm
Tickets: http://www.nominetwork.org/newsletter/cocktail2011.php
Nomi Network FAQ's
What is Nomi Network?
Nomi Network is named after a young Cambodian survivor of sex trafficking, who became mentally disabled because of her experiences in sexual slavery. Poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and normalized violence against women and children perpetuate sex trafficking. According to UNICEF, surveys indicate that 30 to 35% of all sex workers in the Mekong sub-region of Southeast Asia are between 12 and 17 years old. Nomi Network knows the extraordinary potential of survivors and believes that there is a hope and a future for each of them if the proper opportunities are provided.
What does Nomi Network do?
Nomi Network empowers and protects surviving and at-risk women of sex trafficking in Cambodia by leveraging the marketplace to create sustainable job and educational opportunities that otherwise don't exist. Through providing positive alternatives to remaining in the sex trade (or entering in the first place), Nomi gives women vulnerable to sex trafficking the chance at something most of us all too easily take for granted - a life with choices.
How do they do it?
Buy Her Bag Not Her Body (http://www.buyherbagnotherbody.com/) is created by Nomi Network to offer fair-trade handbags and accessories (laptop sleeves, wallets, cosmetic bags, etc), made from recycled rice & fish feed bags by at-risk and survivors of sexual slavery. 100% of profits going right back into training and career development programs. Through sales proceeds Nomi is able to offer fair, living wages and sustainable employment opportunities to give Cambodian women the financial independence to choose their own life - or take it back.
The short and simple is that no woman, regardless of age, ethnicity, income or location, should have the inherent freedom of her own body taken from her, repeatedly. Supported by people like me and you and through spreading the word of Nomi Network's mission, we can raise awareness for what is happening and slowly but surely not only eradicate this industry that is destroying the lives of so many young girls and women, but help rehabilitate and give sustainable options to survivors who weren't given a choice - and at-risk women who otherwise would not have a choice.
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