Jessica Kahawaty Went Undercover In India With NGO Free A Girl
The Lebanese Australian model is working closely with the NGO that works towards rescuing minor girls from sexual exploitation worldwide
Lebanese Australian model and philanthropist Jessica Kahawaty is known for her playful style, wanderlust-filled Instagram posts, and beauty tips that captivate her 1.3 million followers. But behind the scenes, Jessica is also a dedicated advocate for human rights.
Widely known for her charity work, the former Bazaar Arabia cover star has travelled, fundraised and been the face of numerous campaigns as part of countless philanthropic projects.
Recently, she took on an important role as the face of the ‘From Darkness to Light’ campaign by Free a Girl, a non-profit organisation that works tirelessly to rescue minor girls from the depths of sexual exploitation worldwide.
Jessica studied human rights law in Australia and has said that despite not practising law day-to-day, she gained a perspective invaluable to her in her humanitarian endeavours.
In her latest project, she embarked on a transformative journey, travelling undercover to Kolkata, India, and first-hand witnessing the chilling realities faced by countless young girls.
With a focus on raising awareness and funding, the campaign aims to combat the alarming $150 billion industry of human trafficking, particularly child sex trafficking, which tragically affects 2 million minors globally, with girls comprising 95% of the victims.
During her time in India, Jessica engaged in heart-wrenching conversations with survivors and witnessed the unimaginable trauma they endured, unearthing the haunting realities faced by survivors. From meeting children living in shelters while their mothers work in the red light district to hearing firsthand stories from girls being rehabilitated by Free a Girl, Jessica witnessed the profound impact of the organisation’s work, which has protected 7,000 girls from sexual exploitation.
“The horrifying truth remains that millions of children worldwide are subjected to trafficking and sexual exploitation. This is a global issue. Sadly, the majority of these victims are female, many of whom are subsequently trafficked from India to various corners of the world. The internet and social media has unfortunately simplified the process for traffickers and predators to lure and manipulate children online. The efforts of organizations such as Free a Girl are pivotal in amplifying awareness and forming a united front to combat this urgent crisis,” Jessica shared.
She empathises with the burden these survivors carry, further stating, “The pain in their eyes and on their bodies will be a lifelong burden. They will never forget the abuse and sexual exploitation they endured.”
Still, amidst the darkness, Jessica also found hope in Free a Girl’s School for Justice, where survivors are provided with education and support that empowers them to pursue human rights-related professions such as law, social work, and journalism.
Images by Free a Girl.