When you first meet Habiba Osman, you can't help but be struck by her broad, warm smile and sunny-happy-go-lucky type of personality. But don't be fooled – this Malawian lawyer and activist is a heavy hitter when it comes to fighting against human trafficking. In fact, she's even had the privilege of meeting the former Secretary of State of the United States of America, Hillary Clinton, not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions.
While meeting Clinton is certainly a proud moment in Habiba's career, it brings to light the grim shadow of the differences in opportunities and access to power between women in Malawi and those in the West. The trafficking victims; women and girls that Habiba fights for often come from impoverished backgrounds and lack access to education and economic opportunities. This makes them vulnerable to exploitation as most of them are trafficked and brought into forced labour and most times these women are thrust into the roles of modern sex slaves. If human trafficking were eradicated, these women and girls would have a chance at a better life. They would be able to go to school, start businesses, and make their own choices about their futures.
This is what makes Habiba's work so crucial: her anti-trafficking efforts where she is fighting for a world in which women and other vulnerable groups have equal access to opportunities can pave a way for these groups to live free from the various forms of exploitation such as child trafficking, domestic servitude and forced labour. As an anti-human trafficking advocate who has worked for Norwegian Church Aid and now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi Human Rights Commission, Habiba has been instrumental in effecting change and progress in Malawi's efforts to combat human trafficking.
Despite Habiba's anti-trafficking campaigns not having the voices of big-timers such as actresses Julia Ormond and Mira Sorvino who have taken up the fight against human trafficking in the West, one may say Habiba is walking the path of the likes of Joy Ezelio who is also a lawyer and activist and UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons. As an anti-human trafficking advocate, Habiba remains dedicated to fighting for an exploitation-free world, and for her cause she made significant strides when she worked for Norwegian Church Aid, and now as the chief executive officer of the Malawi Human Rights Commission.
UNRIVALED in this Disruptors' chat with Habiba Osman, we were inspired by her unwavering commitment to this cause, and the progress that Malawi has made in trying to deal with the human trafficking problem. We can only hope that with more advocates like Habiba and increased awareness, we can create a world where all women are free from exploitation and have equal access to opportunities, no matter where they come from.
Access the interview through this link the UNRIVALED YouTube page.
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