History of Madagascar
Madagascar is an island/country of southern Africa located in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique. Indonesian seafarers were the first to arrive there around the first century A.D. In the seventh century A.D., Arabs established trading posts along the northwest coast. European contact began in the 1500's. In the late 17th century, the French established trading posts along the east coast. In the 1790's, Merina rulers succeeded in ruling over the most of the island, including the coast. The French took complete control over Madagascar by military force in 1895-1896. The Merina monarchy was then abolished. The French repealed their dominance and Madagascar approved of a constitution in 1959. It gained full independence on June 26, 1960.
Human Trafficking in Madagascar
Human trafficking is a growing problem in Madagascar. Madagascar is currently has a tier rating of 3, which is
the second worst tier. The numbers are increasing every year and it has yet to be put to a stop. Most victims of human trafficking are women and children young and old. The latest report given tells that at least 7,000 Malagasy women are employed as domestic workers in Lebanon. These women and children are mostly from rural areas that are plagued with poverty. This problem continues today and is getting even worse as the years go by, the government is doing nothing to help the cause.
the second worst tier. The numbers are increasing every year and it has yet to be put to a stop. Most victims of human trafficking are women and children young and old. The latest report given tells that at least 7,000 Malagasy women are employed as domestic workers in Lebanon. These women and children are mostly from rural areas that are plagued with poverty. This problem continues today and is getting even worse as the years go by, the government is doing nothing to help the cause.
Abeline Baholiarisoa
Abeline is a human trafficking survivor. She worked as a “slave maid” for wealthy families in Lebanon. Lebanon is a country located in the East Mediterranean, bordering Israel and Syria, and is often a destination for poor Malagasy women seeking work. She was told by a recruiting agency that if she took a three-year nursing job, she
would be paid $800 a month. She took the job, leaving her young children behind thinking she could save money and send it to them. This was only a trap into human trafficking and slave trade. When she and numbers of other women arrived in Beirut, their contracts were deemed inadequate and useless. She explains her living conditions, "We didn't have time to eat or sleep - night and day. We didn't even have time to clean ourselves,” and, "I worked 24 hours a day and received $160 a month. From this, I had to pay the lady of the house money for my food because they only gave us a quarter of a loaf of bread and some bits of
fruit each day." She worked in Lebanon for a number of wealthy families for a
long 15 years before being rescued by her youngest son and the help of the
SPDTS. She is now a partner with the SPDTS helping to rescue other women and
children and bring them back home where they belong. Working to prevent other
into falling in this trap.
would be paid $800 a month. She took the job, leaving her young children behind thinking she could save money and send it to them. This was only a trap into human trafficking and slave trade. When she and numbers of other women arrived in Beirut, their contracts were deemed inadequate and useless. She explains her living conditions, "We didn't have time to eat or sleep - night and day. We didn't even have time to clean ourselves,” and, "I worked 24 hours a day and received $160 a month. From this, I had to pay the lady of the house money for my food because they only gave us a quarter of a loaf of bread and some bits of
fruit each day." She worked in Lebanon for a number of wealthy families for a
long 15 years before being rescued by her youngest son and the help of the
SPDTS. She is now a partner with the SPDTS helping to rescue other women and
children and bring them back home where they belong. Working to prevent other
into falling in this trap.