In Conversation With Sylvia Yu Friedman On Modern-Day Slavery

International speaker, Penguin Random House author, award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, investigative journalist, philanthropy adviser and anti-slavery campaigner, Ms Sylvia Yu Friedman is a name known to many.

I interacted with her for a piece on Youth Ki Awaaz on the issue of slavery and human trafficking, human rights, the status of women and Japanese military sex slavery. Sylvia was among the top 100 in the Human Trafficking & Slavery Influence Leaders List of 2017, curated by Assent.

She won the prestigious 2013 International Human Rights Press Award for her three-part documentary series on human trafficking in China, Hong Kong and Thailand.

Raaz Dheeraj Sharma (RDS): You have been continuously working on the issue of slavery and human trafficking over the past few decades. Do you observe any changes, if any, from World War II until today? How do you trace the change in the status of women today from that time?

Sylvia Yu Friedman (SYF): In my memoir, A Long Road to Justice, I wrote about my personal journey to document different forms of enslavement and exploitation of girls and women across Asia.

I described that history was repeating itself as I pointed out the similarities between modern-day sex slaves with how the Japanese wartime sex slavery victims (euphemistically known as “comfort women”) were recruited deceptively and forced into military brothels on the frontlines of war across Asia — similar methods were used to lure women and hold them in place and racial discrimination marked this wartime sex trafficking system as it does today.

It’s tragic that there are still modern-day “comfort women” in this region. Eerily in some places in the Philippines, the very regions where women were forced into sex slavery for the Japanese soldiers during WWII are the same places where many vulnerable women — single mothers, women from impoverished families — were targeted, deceived and recruited into forced prostitution at bars in Hong Kong’s red-light district.

There are more slaves today than at any other time in history. According to the UN, more than 40 million children, women, and men suffer from exploitation and modern-day slavery. The rise of social media and its hiddenness are fueling the buying and selling and exploitation of people, especially minors.

RDS: No doubt that there are worldwide discussions and advances in human rights, but still, it appears that a big blockage exists which needs to be overcome and that there are still those who view and treat women as their property?

SYF: Yes, I agree that it is extremely challenging to change cultural mindsets and patriarchal (sexist) mindsets. In Asia, women were not considered full human beings and were given a name, an identity of their own until they married. We’re dealing with changing peoples’ perspectives when raising awareness about modern slavery.

That’s why stories are powerful and your platform with interviews are important. I cite the example of the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. Decades ago, no one would have associated the pink ribbon with breast cancer, but with media campaigns, it has been imprinted in our minds.

The influence of media and entertainment can help awaken people to understand the plight of those languishing in slavery. My husband and I have produced films and music videos to open peoples’ eyes to the horrors of slavery. We have both written movie scripts to sensitise people and stir them to take action to help and reach a global audience. It’s crucial to try to shift these diseased mindsets.

RDS: How was your experience when you were interviewing and writing the story of former Japanese soldiers who admitted to their wrongdoings and about Japanese military sex slavery? What have you learned which is relevant to everyone who is reading this from that work and experience?

SYF: I felt it was important for me to interview the perpetrators involved in Japanese wartime sex slavery and traffickers and pimps. It was a very moving and profound experience for me to interview three elderly Japanese soldiers who were involved in either raping women civilians in China during the war or aided others who were doing so.

I was deeply moved by their transformed mindsets and that they were so supportive of the women survivors and had such moral clarity on the issues within Japanese society, such as discriminatory racial attitudes that helped contribute to wartime sexual enslavement of other Asian women and also led to the inability of the government to issue an unequivocal healing apology to survivors and their family members.

RDS: Though people are talking about women’s empowerment, at the same time, we cannot close our eyes or deny the truth that the number of cases regarding slavery and trafficking is increasing day by day, especially in Asian countries. Is it possible to eradicate this completely and if yes, how? 

SYF: We may not be able to eradicate modern slavery, but we can try to help one person at a time. No man is an island, and every action, every act of kindness counts and can help transform our world one life at a time.

Unfortunately, human trafficking and modern-day slavery are increasing due to the pandemic because of the economic fallout and indebtedness that results in exploitation vulnerability.

RDS: I think the main problem is our society’s attitudes towards victims of modern slavery — they are not prepared to treat them with the dignity they deserve as humans and to receive them as victims. 

So is it proper to say that it is more than making laws and implementation of laws, and as a part of this society, we are failing to fulfil our responsibility as a human to give respect and understand those who are the victims of slavery and trafficking? 

SYF: I agree with you. We must change hearts and minds while passing much-needed laws. We as professionals have the power to help those who are marginalised and we can help make an impact with our talent, time and resources.

It’s important to educate children and young people to be global citizens who care about the world and to teach them to have a life-long commitment towards volunteerism in our communities. We started the Be The Hero Campaign for this reason to mobilise more people to do small heroic acts of kindness and love.

RDS: Tell us something about your new book, “A Long Road to Justice”?

SYF: There were many moments when I was in tears over the stories of the survivors. I hope my book touches hearts and inspires people to action. I dream of catalysing a global movement to help more women and girls in sex trafficking.

I am producing a movie based on my book and am excited to bring this film with a strong woman lead to the silver screen. I feel it’s Asia’s time to rise in the entertainment world right now and women are leading the way in many areas.

I began to write as a way to process my husband’s cancer journey. Four years ago, he overcame cancer and we were so thankful that he was cancer-free and healthy again. It was a traumatic experience to face life and death. We now see that time as a huge blessing and it helped us re-birth in a way and we see each day as a gift and want to live life to the fullest.

RDS: I am sure that you were/are having the experience of meeting and interacting with the survivors of slavery. It’s painful and emotional to hear such stories. How will you elaborate on their challenging and painful life from their stories?  

SYF: It was very painful to interview survivors of slavery. I was also going through my own heartache in 2007. But focusing on these survivors helped me overcome my own pain. I was able to put my experience in perspective by helping others.

Also, in the early days when I was interviewing wartime sex slaves of the Japanese military before and during WWII, I didn’t have any boundaries and failed to put up any defences as I listened to their horrific stories. I was traumatised for sure.

But if I had a choice to change anything, I wouldn’t. I have no regrets and feel so honoured that I was able to meet many extraordinary survivors and frontline workers throughout Asia. This book has also led to more dialogues with brilliant people like you. My cup overflows.

RDS: Maybe it is difficult for us to imagine the pain and emotions of the oppressed and exploited and those mistreated as someone’s property. Each person deserves their right to independence and liberty and all individuals can become a promoter of human rights by giving respect for the rights of others. 

So what is your message to everyone who is reading this? 

SYF: I’m so pleased to know that you are raising awareness about human rights issues. Your questions were very thought-provoking and challenging. This is noble and vital work and it will surely impact your networks and the next generation powerfully.

I want to end with a quote from my book:

“This is a call to action to young people and professionals who have the gift of choice, to use their abilities, their talents, and their finances to influence social change for the most marginalised people on Earth. 

“As I reflect upon the legacy I wish to leave behind for future generations, I hope we can someday tell them that we have brought healing and restoration to at-risk children, broken lives, and the poor. This is the dream that’s burning in my heart, and I hope that it burns in the hearts of the next generation, too.”

About the author: Raaz Dheeraj Sharma is an advocate and author of 15 Strangers: Conversations that mean a Lifetime and writes for YKA on different issues and interacts with renowned personalities and motivators.