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Drawing upon more than eight years of experience working as a psychologist with Albania’s most vulnerable communities, Sabjola Bregu ably communicated the necessity for government and society to place health professionals centre-stage in the areas of prevention and support when addressing the harsh realities of Human Trafficking and Exploitation.
Sabjola worked with cases with complex traumas, domestic violence, victims of trafficking, women at risk of being trafficked and exploited, children in street situations and with families from marginalized communities in Albania. She has extensive experience on advocacy and support services at the community centre “Little Angels” SHKEJ, Albania. All the while, her work is focused on supporting Albanians girls and women whose lives are affected by, or at risk of being affected by prostitution in the UK.
Through a series of PowerPoint slides, Sabjola spoke about the centrality of healthcare professionals to the identification, treatment and rehabilitation of survivors of Human Trafficking and Exploitation. Sabjola made a powerful testimony to the value that social protect affords through a functioning and community-based healthcare system in combatting slavery.
Luke de Pulford, Director of the ARISE Foundation ( www.arise.foundation ) which sponsored Sabjola’s presence at this year’s CSW, stated ‘’ARISE exists to support frontline work and amplify their voices. It was a privilege therefore to be able to bring Sabjola and another colleague, Sr Sherly, to the U.N. who both spoke with great clarity about the imperative of healthcare and education to prevent exploitation. The U.N. needs to hear from more voices like these – people who have their sleeves rolled up and are providing help where it is most needed. Our huge gratitude goes to Women at the Well (https://wata.org.uk) for releasing Sabjola from her crucial work with Albanian women in the U.K. to attend.”
To view the video clips of the speeches: https://www.arise.foundation/news/arise-brings-frontline-voices-to-the-un
Please find Sabjola’s address and PowerPoint slides.
Sabiola now works in the UK under the umbrella organisations of St Mary’s Twickenham College, Women at the Well and The Medaille Trust.
Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.