Trokosi LiberationAdvocating for the rights of women and children
Project Summary:Although outlawed in 1998 the Trokosi slave ritual continues to claim the freedom of women and young girls in Ghana. The practice continues due to lack of enforcement of the law by government institutions and fear of the 'gods' by communities heavily entrenched in practices of voodoo and witchcraft. Our partners in Ghana have mobilized a team to reach out to young girls and their families who have been enslaved by the tradition of the Trokosi priests.
Project Goal
Project Details:The ritual has already enslaved 5,000 victims. Girls as young as five years old are sacrificed to village priests to atone for the sins of their grandfathers, fathers, grandmothers and mothers. Trokosi priests own their slaves but take no responsibility for their well-being. They are literally enslaved, working the fields, preparing the food and cleaning for the Trokosi priest. They suffer violent abuse and are forced to perform sexual acts before they even reach sexual maturity. Trokosi slaves have no property, no access to education or medical care and are treated as outcasts when seen in the village. Walter Pimpong, our Executive Director in Ghana, is a compassionate and wise leader. He has been able to build relationships with the Trokosi priests and local governments. His leadership and influence has introduced entire communities to a better way: the way of Jesus. 3,500 women have already been freed. But 1,500 women are still in need of freedom. Your Gifts at WorkYour gift today helps our team in Ghana secure the release of the Trokosi women and their children. Each gift provides the tools needed to execute media campaigns and legal hearings, helping I.N. Network create public awareness of these human rights violations, criminalizing the practice and ensuring that those in bondage are liberated. But more than this your support offers women and young girls the physical, spiritual, social and emotional care they need to overcome the traumatic experience they were forced to endure through counseling and rehabilitation workshops. The advocacy campaign will include:
Vocational Skills Training for Young WomenEmpowering women
Project Summary:Young girls who have been liberated from Trokosi priests are often rejected by their communities. Most often these young girls already have several children. They have no property, no caregiver and no choice. The Adidome Vocational School supports these young women by helping them learn the skills of an income-generating trade. The school also provides a safe place for young mothers and their children.
Project Goal
Project Details:When I was five years old I became a Trokosi - a slave to the gods. My family gave me to the village priest as a form of religious atonement to appease the gods for our family's past crimes. At the shrine, I was abused both emotionally and sexually. I often went days without food and was forced to work long hours in the gardens. Today, although freed from the bondage of the shrine, my life will never be the same. I have a young child of my own and am infected with HIV. I have very few opportunities and little hope to live. - Ester, Trokosi slave Your support is needed to help complete the construction of the Adidome Vocational School. Through your gifts our team can provide for overhead costs such as food, electricity and staff salaries which are not covered by scholarship funds. Your gift makes it possible for Adidome to expand and give more young women the opportunity to live in freedom and independence. Women are empowered through vocational training in bead production, designing textiles, soap and pomade making, weaving of mats, fans, cords and other alternative livelihood skills. Each year, Adidome reaches out to 300 women and their children enabling mothers to take care of themselves, their children and to live an independent life.
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