Baba Wamé: Award-Winning Work to End Human Trafficking
WorldChanging Team, 6 Jul 09
Nominated by Laurent Haug
I can say I have seen my share of great ideas and people in the past four years, with close to 200 speakers attending Lift. One guy stands out when I think of someone I want to send a bit of spotlight to: Baba Wamé.
I found him when I stumbled on his thesis on the impact of dating websites on Camerounese society. He is from a country where men pile up on boats to escape –- with the tragic consequences we know –- while some women, supported and encouraged by their families, use the Internet as a way to find a husband, leave the country, and support their loved ones through money transfers.
In the cynical world we live in, such an access to young and desperate women did not remain unexploited for long, and only 15 percent of women form a real marriage. The rest end up being prostituted, their passport in the hands of a random pimp.
Our western tools have an impact beyond our borders, not always positive. Baba helps us understand that, and is now setting up –- in part thanks to a grant he won at Lift –- an association to inform women in his country of the dangers of online dating. Visit his website to learn more.
This piece is part of Worldchanging's Attention Philanthropy campaign. All week long, the Worldchanging Network will be delivering "attention grants" to worthy projects, individuals, resources and more. You can learn more about these gifts of notice and find other entries by clicking here.
congratulations Mr Baba Wame
Posted by: Jaky Nyeki Bella on 8 Jul 09
Great!,
Superb to be right here.Excellent work buddy.
Posted by: Sara Bruce on 20 Mar 10
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