>> THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY, GIRLS LIVING AS BOYS.

A SECRET TRADITION IN AFGHANISTAN.

THEN, SHELTERS FOR THE CHILDREN OF INDIAN SEX WORKERS.

NEXT, HOW TO STOP YOUNG GIRLS FROM BECOMING CHILD BRIDES.

AND HIDDEN GIRL THE MEMOIR OF A CHILD SLAVE.

[♪♪♪] I'M BONNIE ERBE WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PER INSPECTIONS.

AN OWN CORE PRESENTATION OF STORIES AND DISCUSSIONS ON ISSUES IMPACTING GIRLS AND WOMEN INTERNATIONALLY.

UP FIRST, BACHA POSH IT IS A THIRD VENDOR IN SAN DIEGO.

I SPOKE TO JENNY NORDBERG WHO UNCOVERED THE PRACTICE OF RAISING GIRLS AS BOYS.

>> A BACHA POSH IS A GIRL WHO IS DRESSED UP AS A BOY AND BROUGHT UP AS A BOY.

IT MEANS LITERALLY DRESSED UP LIKE A BOY IN DARI WHICH IS AFGHANISTAN'S SECOND LARGEST LEANING!

SHE DISCOVERED THIS ACCIDENTALLY WHILE WORKING ON A STORY.

WHEN INTERVIEWING A POLITICIAN SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO AZITA'S SON WHO THE FAMILY EXPLAINED WAS A GIRL.

>> IF YOU ARE WITHOUT A SON, YOU ARE SEEN AS WEAK.

AND NOT ONLY SEEN AS WEAK YOU ARE IN FACT WEAK AND YOU MAY HAVE A HARDER TIME GETTING A LOAN OR GETTING A JOB OR REAL ESTATE.

THINK OF AN OLD TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE SOCIETY.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SON IT'S ALMOST BETTER TO MAKE ONE UP.

>> BEFORE NORTHBURG'S RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION, NOTHING HAD BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THIS TRADITION.

SHE TURNED TO INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS.

THEY WERE SKEPTICAL THAT THE PRACTICE EXISTED.

>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE SOCIETIES ON EARTH AND ONE OF THE HARDEST SOCIETIES IN WHICH TO BE A GIRL AND A WOMAN.

GENDER ROLES ARE VERY FIXED.

GIRLS ARE SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE GIRLS AND BEHAVE LIKE GIRLS AND BOYS AS BOYS.

AND IN THAT SENSE, THE IRONY OF THIS THING IS THAT IN SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT, SOME PARENTS JUST SWITCH THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE OTHER GENDER.

>> HER BOOK, THE UNDERGROUND GIRLS OF KABUL REVEAL DIFFERENT WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES OF GROWING UP AS A BACHA POSH.

>> I'VE INTERVIEWED A NUMBER OF THESE WOMEN NOW IN ADULT AGE WHO HAD THIS EXPERIENCE.

AND MANY OF THEM USUALLY WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO GIRLS AND WOMEN BEFORE PUBERTY HOW IT LEFT THEM WITH AN EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE.

WHAT IS THE HARDER THING?

TO GROW UP IN A ENVIRONMENT OF WAR AND SECURITY OR BROUGHT UP AS THE OTHER GENDER?

MAYBE GENDER IS NOT THE BIG STORY.

>> NORDBERG SAYS GIRLS BEING ONE OF THE BOYS IS A UNIVERSAL AND HISTORICAL PHENOMENON DEPICTED IN POPULAR BOOKS AND MOVIES.

>> YOU WILL SEE THIS HAPPENING GIRLS DRESSING A YOUNG BOYS AND WOMEN LIVING AS YOUNG MEN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRIES WHERE WOMEN ARE OPPRESSED.

>> SINCE PRACTICE HAS COME TO LIGHT HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS QUESTIONED WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO HELP THEM.

NORD BERG SUGGESTS THIS RAISED LARGER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WAY WESTERNERS VIEW GENDER AND FOREIGN INTERVENTION.

>> WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO IS TO START ALL KINDS OF GENDER PROJECTS.

AND TEACH AFGHANS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS.

A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT HAS BECOME THAT ANYTHING, ANYTHING HUMAN RIGHTS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE NOW LARGELY SEEN AS A WESTERN IDEA.

A WESTERN INTERVENTION.

SOMETHING THAT HAS STANDS AGAINST MEN.

STANDS AGAINST ISLAM AND EVEN IF YOU ARE A PROGRESSIVE AFGHAN MALE OR FEMALE IT'S DIFFICULT TO EMBRACE THAT.

BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT SEE YOU AS A FOREIGN COLLABORATOR.

>> IN ALMOST ALL CASES, THESE BACHA POSH ARE TURNED BACK INTO WOMEN WHEN THEY COME OF AGE.

THEY TAKE ON THE ROLE OF THE WOMEN WHO IS FORCED TO MARRY AND BEAR CHILDREN.

>> THESE WOMEN ALSO DO SAY THAT ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO BECOME WOMEN OR TURNED INTO YOUNG GIRLS FROM HAVING GRON UP AS BOYS THAT THE MALE WHAT IS CONSIDERED MALE HAS STAYED WITH THEM.

>> NORDBERG FOUNDED THE WEBSITE TO CREATE A PLATFORM FOR WOMEN TO SHARE THEIR STORIES OF BEING A BACHA POSH AND BRINGING THE ISSUE TO THE GLOBAL CONVERSATION ABOUT GENDER, EQUALITY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM.

>> THE WAY I SEE IT AT THE HEART OF IT.

IT IS NOT A STORY ABOUT GENDER IT IS A STORY ABOUT FREEDOM.

>> NOW, THAT SHE UNCOVERED THIS BIZARRE PRACTICE, WHAT AS AN AMERICAN A WESTERNER TO DO, IF ANYTHING, WITHOUT BEING SEEN AS INTRUDING ON A CULTURAL SITUATION THAT IS ONLY AFGHANISTAN'S BUSINESS AND NOT OURS?

>> I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD DO ANYTHING.

IMAGINE WHAT YOU WOULD FEEL LIKE AS A MOTHER HAVING DAUGHTERS HAVE TO LIVE IN THIS OPPRESSIVE SOCIETY THAT YOU YOURSELF HAVE TO LIVE IN.

I DO NOT THINK WE CAN MAKE A JUDGMENT CALL HERE.

I KNOW THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS ACTUALLY HOPING TO EMPLOY THE SENSE OF FREEDOM THAT THESE WOMEN CAN GAIN THROUGH SEEING WHAT IS GOING 0 ON IN WESTERN CULTURES.

THERE IS AN IDEOLOGICAL WAR GOING ON IN THE HEADS OF MILLENNIALS IN THESE SOCIETIES.

AND ONE THING HELPS US IS THEY SEE THAT WOMEN DO HAVE FREEDOM.

THERE IS A PLATFORM ON THE INTERNET CALLED GENERATION CHANGE AND IT HAS 25 CHAPTERS OF DIFFERENT MUSLIM GROUPS OFOUNG MILLENNIALS WHO TALK ABOUT FREEDOM AND OPPORTUNITIES AND THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN.

AND THAT IS PROBABLY WHERE I WOULD RATHER SEE THE BATTLEGROUND WHEN IT COMES TO TRYING TO PROMOTE OUR VALUES.

>> TECHNOLOGY SOLVES EVERYTHING.

>> I AGREE WE SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED.

WITH THAT BEING SAID IT SEEMS A SELFISH ACT.

YOU RAISE A YOUNG LADY AS A BOY AND WHEN IT'S TIME FOR HER TO HAVE BABIES YOU CAN BE A GIRL AGAIN.

THEY DO NOT TALK ABOUT EDUCATION AND GETTING THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

FROM WHAT THE STORY TOLD US IS THAT IT'S DONE BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU HAVE STATURE IN YOUR FAMILY.

>> AND THE HUSBANDS WANT IT AND THEY ARE IN CHARGE.

>> WELL, MY FIRST THOUGHT IS TIMELY SOMEBODY HAS FOUND AN ANSWER TO FEMALE OPPRESSION JUST BECOME A BOY.

[LAUGHTER] THEN I ALMOST WANTED TO CRY.

BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A PSYCHOLOGICAL VIOLATION.

>> FROM AFGHANISTAN TO INDIA.

IN THE DARKNESS OF MUMBAI'S RED LIGHT DISTRICT THERE IS ONE BRIGHT LIGHT.

NIGHT SHELTERS FOR CHILDREN.

THE SHELTERS OFFER PROTECTION AND SECURITY AS WELL AS HOPE FOR A BETTER LIFE.

>> WHAT REALLY HIT ME VERY HARD WAS THE LITTLE INFANTS WHO COULD NOT FEND FOR THEMSELVES BEING MILDLY DRUGGED AND PUT OFF TO SLEEP BELOW THE BEDS OF THEIR MOTHERS, THE MOTHERS WERE FORCED TO SERVICE CUSTOMERS.

IT WAS THAT SIGHT AND IT WAS ALL THAT WAS HAPPENING TO THE CHILDREN IN THE EVENINGS THAT ACTUALLY GOT US TO THINK ABOUT HOW CAN WE PROTECT THESE CHILDREN.

>> SEEING THAT PROBLEM, SOCIAL WORKER PRITI PATKAR ENVISIONED A SIMPLE SOLUTION.

SHE SETUP NIGHT SHELTERS FOR AT RISK CHILDREN AND TEENS OF INDIAN PROSTITUTES.

SHE RECEIVES AWARDS FOR HER WORK NOW BUT IT WASN'T ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> PEOPLE THOUGHT I WAS MAD.

PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT YOU KNOW, WE WERE ENCOURAGING PROSTITUTES TO BE EVEN MORE FRIVOLOUS BY TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

PEOPLE FELT I WAS INTO SOMETHING SENSATIONAL.

PEOPLE ALSO CRITICIZED ME BY SAYING WHY SHOULD DEVELOPMENTAL FUNDS BY DIVERTED FOR THE WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN OF PROSTITUTES?

>> DESPITE CHALLENGES, PATKAR GAINED SUPPORT AND ACCESS TO AN EMPTY PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM IN ONE OF THE LARGEST RED LIKE DISTRICTS IN MUMBAI.

IN 1986, THE CLASSROOM OPENED AS THE FIRST NIGHT CARE CENTER.

>> TODAY WE WORK IN THREE RED LIGHT AREAS.

AND I FEEL VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT YOU WILL NOT FIND A SINGLE CHILD IN THE STREET AT NIGHT AREAS THAT DOES NOT GO TO SCHOOL.

>> THE SHELTERS ARE NOT JUST A SANCTUARY FOR CHILDREN THERE ARE SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

>> IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHT TO PROTECTION AND DEVELOPMENT, THEN EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION.

BECAUSE WITHOUT EDUCATION, WE CANNOT BE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT.

EVERY CHILD ENROLLS IN A FORMAL SCHOOL.

AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL SOME GONE TO COLLEGES.

>> PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL IN INDIA AND THERE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE BETWEEN TWO AND THREE MILLION SEX WORKERS.

MANY OF THE CHILDREN OF PROSTITUTES END UP AS PROSTITUTES.

BUT THE SHELTERS TRY TO PUT AN END TO THE CYCLE.

>> IF YOU INVEST IN THESE CHILDREN AND IF YOU CREATE THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT YOU CAN ABOLISH TRAFFICKING INTO THE SEX TRADE.

>> THE NIGHT SHELTERS PROVIDED SERVICES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND MEN RESCUED FROM THE SEX TRADE.

>> WE HAVE AN ENTIRE PROGRAM ARE NOT YOUNG GIRLS RESCUED OR YOUNG WOMEN WOULD ARE RESCUED FROM THE SEX TRADE.

WE HELP THEM WITH COUNSELING, LEGAL INTERVENTION, REHAB, REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION.

>> IT SERVES AS A MODEL FOR ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ELIMINATE TRAFFICKING AND PROSTITUTION.

>> WE HAVE THESE CHILDREN COMING BACK AND TALKING ABOUT THEIR STORIES TO THE MOTHERS TO THE WORLD TO OTHER CHILDREN INSPIRING THEM THROUGH THEIR STORIES AND THEIR JOURNEY.

SO, YEAH, THIS IS WHAT WE'VE MANAGED TO ACCOMPLISH.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE INVESTING MORE ON THESE CHILDREN.

PEOPLE INVESTING MORE ON LARGER ISSUES OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND CHILD PROTECTION.

>> ALSO FROM INDIA, GIRLS NOT BRIDES.

WE HAVE THE STORY OF A YOUNG WOMAN WHO CONVINCED HER FAMILY NOT TO FORCE HER INTO AN ARRANGED MARRIAGE.

CHILD MARRIAGE IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM FOR FAMILIES IN INDIA.

IT AFFECTS GIRLS IN MANY COUNTRIES.

EVERY YEAR, 14 MILLION GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE FORCED INTO ARRANGED MARRIAGES AROUND THE WORLD.

SARITA PROVALKAVAT LIVES IN A SMALL TOWN IN INDIA 300 MILES FROM MUMBAI AND REMEMBERS BEING 14 WHEN SHE FIRST REALIZED HER FRIENDS WERE GETTING MARRIED.

AT THAT YOUNG AGE SHE KNEW IT WAS NOT THE LIFE SHE WANTED.

SHE FOUND THE COURAGE TO SPEAK UP.

>> I EXPLAINED TO MY FATHER WHAT I LEARNED IN LIFE SKILL EDUCATION CLASS THAT GETTING MARRIED EARLY HAS SEVERAL RISKS.

AND THEN I ALSO TOLD HIM ABOUT ONE EXAMPLE, ONE OF MY FRIENDS WHO GOT MARRIED, EARLY, SHE WAS PREGNANT WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG AND SHE DIED IN CHILDBIRTH AND HER BABY.

>> SHE CREDITS HER TEACHER AND A PROGRAM AIMED AT ENDING THE DANGEROUS PRACTICE OF CHILD MARRIAGE.

>> SHE WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE HER FATHER AND HE COULD TELL US IN THE VILLAGE THAT AS LONG AS MY DAUGHTER IS STUDYING I DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT HER MARRY.

AS LONG AS GIRL IS STUDYING, PARENTS FIND IT EASIER TO RESPOND TO SOCIAL PRESSURE.

>> FOR A LOT OF GIRLS IT'S SCARY.

AND I HAVE TO SAY, I'M SPEECHLESS AT THE COURAGE OF SOME OF THESE GIRLS.

BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH PRESSURE IN MANY OF THESE COMMUNITIES.

AND IT TAKES A HUGE AMOUNT OF COURAGE TO BE ABLE TO SAY YOU KNOW WHAT?

I DON'T THINK THIS IS RIGHT FOR ME.

>> SARITA PROVALKAVAT IS ONE OF MILLIONS OF GIRLS AROUND THE WORLD ON EVERY CONTINENT WHERE BECOMING A CHILD BRIDE IS THE ONLY LIFE THEY KNOW.

IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD, ONE IN SEVEN GIRLS IS MARRIED BEFORE HER 15TH BIRTHDAY.

SOME CHILD BRIDES ARE AS YOUNG AS 8 OR 9.

>> THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE MARRY OFF THEIR DAUGHTERS IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE ALWAYS DONE AND THEN THERE'S FACTORS SUCH AS POVERTY, LACK OF EDUCATION AND THERE IS A LACK OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> LAKSHMI SUNDARAM RUNS GIRLS NOT BRIDES.

AND SAYS MARRIAGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A WONDERFUL TIME FOR A YOUNG LADY AND IT'S ANYTHING BUT FOR THESE GIRLS.

>> THEIR FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE IS FORCED.

HOW CAN YOU EXPECT TO THRIVE WHEN YOU'RE CONSTANTLY BEING SUBJECTED TO BASICALLY RAPE WITHIN A MARRIAGE?

THERE IS A SOCIAL PRESSURE TO PROVE YOUR FERTILITY THEY GET PREGNANT VERY QUICKLY.

AND THEIR BODIES ARE NOT MADE TO BE HAVING CHILDREN.

>> DPIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 15 ARE FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE IN CHILDBIRTH AND THE CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE DIE OR BE SICK.

MANISHA KHELE DECIDED SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE TO PROTECT THESE INNOCENT CHILDREN.

BUT SHE KNEW ANY PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EDUCATE YOUNG GIRLS WOULD REQUIRE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED AT YOUNG AGE AND THEN THEY ARE APPAN DONNED FOR THE REST OF THEIR -- ABANDONED FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GIRLS WHEN THEY COME BACK.

>> SARITA PROVALKAVAT'S MOTHER WED AT 16 SUPPORTED HER DAUGHTER'S DECISION SO DID FRIENDS.

>> MY FRIENDS WHO GOT MARRIED THEY REALIZED THAT ONCE YOU GET MARRIED YOU ARE TIED DOWN TO THE HOUSE AND YOU ARE DENIED YOUR EDUCATION AND SEVERAL OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> WHEN I STARTED IN THE VILLAGES ABOUT 82% OF THE GIRLS WERE GETTING MARRIED LESS THAN 18 YEARS OF AGE.

I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT DOWN TO 62%.

AND MEDIAN AGE OF MARRIAGE WENT UP BY ONE YEAR.

>> NOW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS FREE TO PURSUE THE LIFE THEY CHOOSE.

>> I DREAMT OF BECOMING A TEACHER BECAUSE I FELT IF I BECOME A TEACHER I AM ABLE TO REACH OUT TO MANY CHILDREN ESPECIALLY GIRLS AND THEN I CAN SPEAK TO THE GIRLS ABOUT NOT TO GET MARRIED EARLY.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THE STORY HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

MY PARENTS IMMIGRATED FROM INDIA AND I AM FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS GOING ON THERE.

AND THIS CONTINUES TODAY.

INDIA HAS NEARLY 2000 TRIBES STILL AND THE SUPREME COURT RULED THEY CAN GOVERN THEMSELVES.

AND PREFER TO.

AND THEY PREFER TO LET CHILD MARRIAGES GO ON BECAUSE FATHERS FEEL THE DAUGHTERS BEFORE THEY ARE WEDDED IF THEY ARE WEDDED BEFORE MATURITY THEN THEY WILL BE PROTECTED FROM ABUSE AND OTHER THINGS.

THAT A COMMON REASON THAT IS NOT TALKED ABOUT.

LET ME GET THIS GIRL OFF MY HANDS BEFORE SHE BECOMES A LIABILITY AND THE COST OF PROTECTING HER BECOMES TOO MUCH AND THAT IS WHY THEY ARE STILL GOING INTO CHILD MARRIAGES.

>> IS THERE A DOUGH WEARY GIVEN TO THE BRIDE'S PARENTS?

>> OFTEN TIMES TOO THE MAN THAT THE DAUGHTER IS MARRIED OFF TO.

THE BRIDE'S FAMILY OWES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT WHETHER IT BE IN THE FORM OF LIVESTOCK OR MONIES, IT EXISTS.

THIS IS HAPPENING WITHIN THE TRIBES ALL OVER INDIA.

IN URBAN AREAS WHERE WOMEN ARE BECOMING MORE EDUCATED THIS IS DWINDLING.

AGAIN IT'S THE SHAME.

>> INDIA IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST DEMOCRACY.

AND 40% OF CHILD MARRIAGES HAPPEN IN INDIA.

>> I TALKED TO SOMEBODY WHO WORKS FOR A GLOBAL NONPROFIT AND IT'S GOING ON IN NORTHERN BRAZIL.

WHAT DO WE DO?

WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO?

>> WELL IT IS.

AND THE POWER IS THAT IT SPEAKS TO WHAT WE NEED TO DO AROUND GIRLS' EDUCATION.

I BELIEVE AS SECRETARY OF STATE WAS ON TO SOMETHING WHEN SHE WENT FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY TALKING ABOUT THE POWER OF INVESTING IN GIRLS EDUCATION.

WE COULD SEE THAT THE DIFFERENCE THAT THAT MAKES.

AND IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT EDUCATING THE YOUNG GIRL BUT THE COURAGE SHE AND HER FAMILY IN THE COMMUNITY THEN DISPLAY THAT ENABLES THEM NOT TO BE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

AND WE KNOW THAT EDUCATION IN THE LONG RUN IMPROVES WOMEN'S LIVES AND PROSPECTS AND COULD SAVE THEM FROM THE PROSPECT OF BEING A CHILD BRIDE.

>> THE STORY IS JUST HORRENDOUS.

BUT THE BRIGHT LIGHT WAS THE TEACHER AND THAT YOUNG LADY AND THAT YOUNG LADY'S FAMILY WILLING TO SAY NO, I DO NOT WANT THIS.

THE TEACHERS TRAIL BLAZED IT TO EDUCATE THE WOMEN SAYING YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS AND THE YOUNG LADY DECIDED SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE MARRIED I'M GRATEFUL HER PARENTS SUPPORTED HER.

I'M NOT TOO MANY PARENTS WILL SUPPORT THE CHILDREN THEY WANT TO GET RID OF THE LIABILITY.

>> FOR HER FATHER TO PROMOTE THAT IN THE COMMUNITY AND MY DAUGHTER IS STUDYING THEY HAVE A REASON SHE IS DOING HER OWN THING SO WE CANNOT MARRY HER OFF YET.

AND THAT IS A CRUMBMY EXCUSE BUT IT'S SOMETHING AND PREVENTING IT FROM HAPPENING AS OFTEN.

>> AND IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND IT'S EXPLODING WHERE THERE'S MORE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE HORRENDOUS THINGS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE AND IT STARTS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.

IN INDIA, IS A HUGE CONTRAST.

ONE OF THE RICHEST NATIONS IN THE WORLD.

AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU HAVE THESE TRIBES WHERE YOU GO TO THE AREAS AND I HAVE BEEN THERE MYSELF AND PEOPLE ARE LIVING LIKE THEY WERE LIVING IN THE 1600'S.

>> THERE'S GENDER BY WAS AND INJUSTICE BECAUSE IT IS ENGRAINED INTO THE SOCIETY.

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE GANG RAPE IN NEW DELI.

IT'S TERRIBLE BECAUSE IT IS CULTURE.

>> AND THAT WAS A BIG CITY.

>> IT'S ENGRAINED THAT MEN ARE SUPERIORMENT THE MALE BABY IS MORE VALUED THAN THE FEMALE.

THEY ARE MORE USEFUL AND BRING MORE TO THE FAMILY.

AND THAT THE IS A SHAME AND IT WILL TAKE EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR THEIR GOVERNMENT TO MAKE MOVES OPPORTUNITY THIS.

>> OUR NEXT STORY TAKES PLACE IN THE U.S.

BUT IT IS ABOUT A GIRL FROM EGYPT WHO WAS A CHILD SLAVE.

>> AT AGE 8, SHYIMA HALL'S PARENTS SOLD HER TO A FAMILY.

AND A PHONE CALL SAVED HER LIFE.

NOW AT 24, THE EGYPTIAN NATIVE WANTS TO PAY IT FORWARD BY SHARING HER STORY.

>> I THINK PART OF IT WHY I WROTE ABOUT IT AND I AGREED TO DO THIS.

PEOPLE SEE ALL THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN.

IT IS NOT A HISTORY BOOK SITUATION IT IS -- >> IN HER BOOK HID ESPECIALLY GIRL, SHYIMA HALL RECOUNTS THE DAY SHE BECAME A SLAVE IN EGYPT.

HER SISTER WAS ACCUSED OF STEALING FROM AN EMPLOYER.

TO SETTLE THE DEBT AND AVOID JAIL THE FAMILY GAVE AWAY SHYIMA.

>> MY MOM AND TELLING THEM HOW HE STOLE MONEYMENT I REMEMBER THAT I WAS THERE WITH HER.

BUT IT WAS JUST A SUDDEN THING.

AND IT WAS LIKE DONE AND OVER WITH.

THAT IS IT.

>> THE LAST TIME SHYIMA SAW HER PARENTS IS WHEN THE CAPTORS ANNOUNCED THE PLANS TO RELOCATE TO THE U.S. WITH SHYIMA.

>> THEY CAME OVER AND TOLD THEM WE WANT HER TO COME WITH US TO FINISH MORE OF HER DEBT AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

AND THEY AGREED ON IT.

>> AS A YOUNG CHILD SHE WAS ISOLATED.

SHE DID NOT ATTEND SCHOOL OR HAVE ANY FRIENDS.

>> I DID NOT KNOW THAT FORT WAS HAPPENING WAS WRONG.

SO TO ME IT WAS LIKE OK, WELL, I'M HERE.

I AM MEANT FOR THIS.

THIS IS IT FOR ME.

LIKE I DON'T OWN MY LIFE.

IT'S NOT MINE.

IT BELONGS TO THESE PEOPLE THAT MAKES YOU UP 24/7 CLEANING AND GETTING FOOD READY AND TAKING CARE OF THEIR KIDS.

>> SHYIMA'S CAPTORS REMINDED HER ESCAPE WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND FAR TOO DANGEROUS.

>> YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD THEM SAYING IF THE COPS FIND YOU YOU GET BEAT UP AND YOU NEVER SEE YOUR FAMILY AGAIN AND YOU GO TO JAIL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE HERE.

>> SHYIMA WAS ENSLAVED FOR THREE YEARS IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA.

ONE DAY A CONCERNED NEIGHBOR CALLED THE AUTHORITIES.

>> SAID THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG THERE IS A LITTLE GIRL IN THE HOUSE AND SHE NEVER LEAVES WE ALWAYS SEE HER CLEANING AROUND OR PUTTING THINGS AWAY.

>> THE POLICE CAME TO THE HOUSE.

>> AND IF I WOULD LEAVE HE WAS -- TOLD ME LIKE DON'T TELL THEM YOU WORK FOR US.

>> THE FAMILY WAS ARRESTED.

THE HUSBAND SERVED THREE YEARS IN JAIL.

AND HIS WIFE TWO YEARS.

SHYIMA NEVER WENT BACK TO EGYPT.

TODAY SHE IS A WIFE, MOTHER AND U.S. CITIZEN.

HER GOAL IS TO BECOME AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENT.

>> I CAN HELP SOMEBODY ELSE AND BRING THEIR SELF BACK AND TELL THEM THEY ARE SOMEBODY AND THEY MATTER.

>> YOU SEE THESE WOMEN COMING OUT OF A SITUATION AND THINK WHAT IS IT IN HER THAT GOT HER THROUGH THAT?

AND THAT SHE COULD GO BACK TO BE A NORMAL AND HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY?

>> NON-BITTER AND RESOLVED TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

THAT IS A TRUE PROFILE IN COURAGE.

THAT IS THE TYPE OF PERSON WE SHOULD BE EMULATING AND LISTENING TO THE STORY.

I DO NOT THINK IT IS AS RARE AS PEOPLE REALIZE.

>> THE U.N. SAYS THERE ARE -- 27 MILLION SLAVES DOMESTIC SLAVES THAT SEX SLAVES, 80% OF THEM WOMEN BEING TRAFFICKED.

AND MODERN-DAY SLAVERY AROUND THE WORLD AND IT'S GROWING BECAUSE OF THE INTERNET AND GROWING HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE KNOW ABOUT TRAFFICKING MORE THAN THIS SLAVERY.

THIS IS OLD-FASHIONED SLAVERY.

YOU SELL SOMEBODY TO DO WORK.

AND I THINK THIS NEEDS FAR MORE EXPOSURE.

WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM?

WHAT SOCIETIES DO THIS?

I WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF EGYPT.

NOW, I NOW KNOW IT MUST BE A WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON.

>> IT IS A 9.5 BILLION INDUSTRY OF SELLING CHILDREN IS NUMBER THREE AFTER ARMS AND DRUGS AS THE MOST PROFITING TRAFFICKING.

>> YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE ON THE DECLINE BUT THE INTERNET INCREASING IT.

>> AND A MAJOR DESTINATION THE TOP DESTINATION FOR CHILD TRAFFICKERS AND A MAJOR TRANSIT COUNTRY.

IT'S MINDBOGGLING.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE DONE?

>> I AGREE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING SHE WANTS TO GET INVOLVED WITH WITH CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION AND BE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOT OF POWER AND A LOT OF AUTHORITY.

THEY GET TO INTERVIEW AND MEET AND PULL ASIDE EVERYONE THAT IS COMING INSIDE THE U.S >> THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION OF TO THE CONTRARY.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

WHERE THE DISCUSSION CONTINUES AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY PLEASE JOIN US NEXT TIME.

FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

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