International Women’s Day

March 8, 2025

Why We Celebrate

This year, the United Nations’ designation of March 8th as International Women’s Day is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. The spirit of the celebration has existed as a movement and as a celebration of women’s advancements across fields for significantly longer, however. The designation of a day in late February or early March to honor women and promote women’s suffrage dates to the early twentieth century. Celebrating International Women’s Day is not just a reason to reflect on past achievements, however, but to look forward to taking steps toward equality in the future.

Theme

Each year since 1996, the United Nations has selected a theme for International Women’s Day to help promote gender equality, to spur communities to action, and to aid a variety of efforts to help women around the world. The theme for 2025 is “Accelerate Action,” a nod to data from the World Economic forum that estimates it will take until 2158, or about five generations, for the world to achieve economic gender parity. Therefore, this year is focused on raising awareness of the persistent economic gap and advocating for concrete steps to reduce the current timeline.

Women At Risk, International

Women at Risk, International is dedicated to uplifting, celebrating, and protecting women in tangible ways today and every day. We support safe houses and vocational training centers around the world and run a vocational training center right here in the United States at our headquarters in West Michigan. These safe houses and training centers give women a place to recover or seek protection and an opportunity to learn skills that allow them to earn a fair wage and earn their living with dignity, a right that ought to be inherent but has often been denied to them. Our safehouses seek to provide holistic solutions including mental and emotional support as we help rescued and at-risk women move toward living the lives they would have if not for dastardly interference.

Celebrate through Supporting Women

This International Women’s Day, celebrate the women in your life by supporting and uplifting the women who need it most. You can partner in the work of Women At Risk, International by shopping either in person or online from our boutique, which is stocked with goods made by at-risk and rescued women. To take your participation a step further, volunteer to host a pop-up boutique, where we ship product to you and you sell it yourself from your home or church. The impact of these sales cannot be overstated: $300 of these sales are sufficient to support a woman in a safehouse for an entire month!

By supporting the work of the artisans at our United States Training Center, you are an encouragement to Women At Risk, International and to the women we serve, “jumping into the trenches with us and lifting lives to dignity,” in the words of our founder. This International Women’s Day, commit to investing in women and creating a tangible impact in the lives of those most vulnerable.

Invitation to support women~

~ Shop to empower women here.

~ Host a pop-up boutique here.

Stories of Rescue, Healing, Hope,…

Presidential Message: Rebecca McDonald

“Our commitment is for the House of WAR to be a sanctuary. We ofter see a spike in the number of 911 scenarios at various times that bring its own dangers to those hiding under a bridge or running for their lives barefoot—or wishing they could. Some stories are messy and still ongoing, and one haunts both my waking and sleeping moments as we continue trying to bring about a resolution. Every life is precious to the WAR family, and we are determined to fight for her.”

Stories of Rescue, Healing, Hope,…

Angel’s Story

The day COVID-19 hit the U.S. in 2020, Rebecca McDonald, founder and president of WAR, Int’l, hid a young woman in her car.

Freedom is costly.

When you help a woman escape exploitation, you see firsthand the devastating loss that comes from fleeing slavery. In leaving behind abuse, women often leave behind everything they’ve ever known. Starting over is exhausting, and is only made worse by navigating the rough waves of trauma and healing. Freedom is not free–it is painfully expensive in a thousand different ways.

Angel had been running barefoot from her traffickers for hours before she secured WAR, Int’l’s number from a national hotline. After she courageously reached out to us, we ran to her aid. Angel was tucked safely away in Becky’s car while we arranged safe housing.

Today, Angel is flourishing. Not only have pro bono lawyers cleared her name of all crimes claimed against her, but she is excelling as a legal secretary, spreading the seeds of justice that were planted in her own life. She has been reunited with her kids. Through your generosity, she has also been provided with a car. Once stereotyped due to riding a bicycle to and from work, Angel now possesses the resources to reflect her inner potential.

Margaret’s Story

Far too often, traffickers aren’t strangers. This was Margaret’s story. Her boyfriend betrayed her, forcing her to sleep with other men in exchange for the drugs that fueled his addiction.

Margaret waited in anguish for an opportunity to escape. Seeing her only chance, she fled while clutching the arm of her teenage daughter. Like so many others, they left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. As the two of them fearfully hid in a hotel, Margaret reached out in faith to WAR, Int’l.

Due to generous contributions to our 911 Rescue Fund, WAR, Int’l was able to respond immediately in Margaret’s hour of need, providing food, clothing, and other basic essentials. We also arranged the transportation that reunited Margaret and her daughter with their family in another city, restoring them to a circle of belonging and protection.

Ramona’s Story

Responding to a call from a federal agency, WAR, Int’l took Ramona shopping for an outfit she could wear to court. Despite unimaginable circumstances and lingering hurt, Ramona had resolved to testify against her traffickers.

We often emphasize how important it is to shed light on the realities of human trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice but forget that it requires real human cost. WAR, Int’l leapt into overdrive to surround Ramona and prepare this courageous survivor to be the key witness against a trafficking ring. Ignoring the attention we attracted by shopping under armed guard, we watched Ramona’s countenance transform from fear to confidence!

Touched by our compassion for her, Ramona whispered, “Why do you care for me when you don’t even know me?”

We at WAR, Int’l love that question! The 911 Rescue Fund allows us to respond, inform, and reach into lives with action. It permits us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We were honored to be a part of Ramona’s story and are so inspired by her resilience.

The Next Story

Because of your generosity, WAR, Int’l is a sanctuary. Together, we partner in the Lord’s work to bestow beauty instead of ashes.

Our 911 Rescue Fund seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ, showing up for survivors in their hour of need. Empowered by your gifts, there is no need to which WAR, Int’l turns a blind eye.

We hide the hunted, clothe the exposed, and nourish the hungry. To those on the run, we provide rest and respite. The hurting are set on a path to healing and the homeless are embraced. Each woman, man, and child is welcomed and grafted into the WAR family.

Behind each of these initiatives is a story of a survivor who was earnestly pursued and wrapped in compassion.

Your generosity will write the next story. Your Giving Tuesday gift will embolden us to continue to intervene, bringing precious survivors out of darkness and into marvelous light.

Contribute to rescue, donate today to our 911 Rescue Fund.

Give online here.

Send a check to:
Women At Risk, International
2790 44th St. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519.

If you write a check, please be sure to note on the memo line that it is for our 911 Rescue Fund.

Safer Internet Day

February 11, 2025

In the European Union – and increasingly around the world – the second Tuesday of February is celebrated as Safer Internet Day. This year, it falls on today, February 11. We are marking today because of the increased impact that the internet has had on trafficking and anti-trafficking efforts in recent decades. Increased accessibility to pornography, anonymous purchasing, and lack of evidence trails have all contributed to the increase in traffickers’ use of the internet to do their business.

There are two major factors that make fighting the use of the internet in trafficking more difficult to fight than other venues traffickers use for business. First, the anonymity of the internet not only gives traffickers a sense of security that they will not be caught, but it makes it much easier for them to impersonate a friend or acquaintance of their target. In addition, one of the biggest concerns for those who fight online trafficking is the high rate of evolution of apps and ways to connect. If a communication app or set of advertisements is flagged and taken down, it can be replaced in just hours. Teaching your children and those in your circles how to be safe on the internet is a constantly evolving process and requires flexibility and resilience.

It is important to note that “internet trafficking” by no means takes place solely in an online limbo. The real, physical violence and trauma to trafficking victims who were groomed or blackmailed via the internet is not diminished by the fact that their process of entrapment – often grooming or blackmail – began online. Concerns about children’s internet safety are growing in universality. In the United States, for instance, there have been attempts in recent years to protect children via legislation at the federal level. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) was first introduced in 2022 and passed the Senate. It did not achieve a needed majority in the House of Representatives. As a result, there is more work to be done.

Like other trafficking risks, solving the problem of unsafe internet is an issue that needs to be fought on a communal level. Although it can be difficult to talk to children about internet safety, restrictions are necessary to keep them safe from an internet that is not. “I’m a good kid,” they may protest, “don’t you trust me?” It may be helpful to emphasize that of course you trust them, but you do not trust the predators lurking online – and neither should they. Ensuring that your community, your children, and the children in your circles are as informed as possible is one of the most important things you individually can do in order to build the necessary circles of protection. Take time to set up parental controls, establish a culture of openness with online activities, and be a non-judgmental listening ear for your children when they come to you with questions or concerns.There is no better time to begin than today.

CALL TO ACTION~
~Attend Women At Risk, International’s (WAR, Int’l) Civilian First Responder Training Conference, learn more here.
~Attend or host one of WAR, Int’l’s S.T.A.N.D. Classes, learn more here.

Year in Review | 2024

By Becky McDonald, Founder & President
-January 2025

2024 IN REVIEW

Dear WARriors:

The “dirty little secret” of 150 years of government and ministry abroad is a gigantic welfare system where dependency hostility is real. We’ve fed fish to the starving but never taught them to fish! You CANNOT rescue someone, pat them on the head and say, “Nasty little life there…go do something nice.” Over 90% of Cambodians rescued and sent home without job training get RESOLD. You MUST empower work with dignity, or they’re re-scammed. We passionately help rebuild lives a day at a time at their own pace. If you’re starving, I’ll feed you a fish. BUT, may I PLEASE teach you to fish, make fishing poles, and sell your fish and fishing poles?

WAR is passionate about the 200+ projects and programs we partner with. One of our favorite questions is, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Whether they are 2, 12, or 52 years old…we want them to DREAM and make that dream come true! One woman recoiled saying, “I’ve learned never to dream!” I said, “Start now!” This year that turned into GOATS! Yep! Inside the WAR program world, G.O.A.T. actually stands for GIVING OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING, which is about animal husbandry of goats and chickens. Much of our time this year was spent in Zambia, experiencing a famine and the worst drought in history. Walking by 2 freezers in our buildings there, I decided on the spot to buy goats…85 to start! If we couldn’t grow corn, we’d eat meat! The WAR family rallied. Our Zambian staff are dreaming of having 2 million goats! Seriously!

Goats aside…A quick look at “work with dignity” is a dazzling array of skill training that we’ve done!

• Sewing, Knitting, Weaving ~ In former British colonies sewing is a real income, making 10 times a daily labor man’s job if a woman is industrious…WHILE she watches her kiddos at home.

• Agricultural Training ~ Along with the animal husbandry, we train women (and men watch and learn) how to grow gardens, do drip irrigation and make their own food to eat AND sell.

• Jewelry Making ~ Shoppers KNOW our high-end jewelry, real stones, pearls…beautiful gifts. Shopping for these literally jumps you in the trenches with us, lifting lives to work with dignity.

• Bakeries, Coffee Shops, Culinary Training ~ From Asian bakeries that supply royal families to coffee shops and 5-star hotel culinary training…we help men and women to dream this dream.

• Scarves and Clothes ~ From Pakistan to India to Thailand, we have the most incredible silk, embroidered, pashmina, cashmere, cotton and more scarves for every taste.

• Spa Products ~ Begun to help a tiny American girl, sold by her father to politicians, we launched a full line of spa products made by rescued and at-risk Americans.

• Micro-Businesses ~ From a Ugandan nuts and bolts kiosk, to produce grown and sold by widows, selling door to door, woman to woman, to sales of every kind…our women are flourishing in their own businesses.

• Education ~ From teaching Braille, to culinary schools, to doctors, lawyers, engineers, art, teachers, cosmetology, physical therapy, counseling…you name it…if a survivor dreams it, we make DREAMS a reality.

• Toys ~ My favorites are the kids toys from a croaking frog (for real), to finger puppets (I have 1 of each), to owl backpacks, to amazing baby llama fur, to tiny miniatures, and so much more!

These are just a few ways we helped survivors rebuild their lives to WORK WITH DIGNITY in 2024, in addition to wrap-around trauma informed rescue, aftercare, and healing:

Rebecca McDonald
Founder & President

Past Five Presidents, Fight Against Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Prevention & Awareness Month.

As part of our January Campaign to bring awareness, Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) here is the third blog article in the series.

How the Past Five Presidents Took Up the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Since 2010, the President of the United States has recognized the month of January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, dedicating time to raise awareness, educate the public, and celebrate those engaged in the fight against human trafficking at home and abroad. In the spirit of Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2025, Women at Risk, International, wants to highlight the decisive action the last five presidents have taken towards setting captives of modern slavery free.

President Joe Biden (2021 – Present)
In 2021, President Biden signed an updated National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, espousing the Administration’s commitment to prosecute, protect, and prevent. Additionally, in 2021, the President signed the Countering Human Trafficking Act, which codified the expansion of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking. Continuing the fight against forced labor in supply chains, President Biden approved the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Finally, due to the reality that most victims of trafficking are women and girls, the Biden Administration reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act in 2022, expanding jurisdiction of tribal courts to prosecute non-Native American sex traffickers.

President Donald Trump (2017 – 2021)
During his time in office, President Trump asserted that human trafficking is an “urgent humanitarian issue” and that his administration is “committed to leveraging every resource we have to confront this threat, to support victims and survivors, and to hold traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes.” President Trump signed four key bills demonstrating the continued bipartisan commitment to end human trafficking: the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Together, these bills worked to tighten criteria for meeting trafficking elimination standards, appropriate necessary funding, and establish new justice and security initiatives. President Trump issued an executive order on Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation in the United States in January 2020. This order outlined mandates to strengthen federal responses to human trafficking, prosecute perpetrators and individuals who exploit children online, and protect victims. President Trump, additionally, approved the largest Department of Justice grant package in history to combat human trafficking.

President Barack Obama (2009 – 2017)
President Barack Obama was responsible for establishing the National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in 2010. Every January, he renewed his Administration’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and called upon the American people to “recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.” President Obama reauthorized the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2013, focusing on the elimination of human trafficking from the supply chain of goods. In 2015, Congress passed, and Obama signed, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection broad authority to prevent the import of goods suspected to be made with forced labor. The Obama Administration convened the first U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking in 2016, which appointed eleven human trafficking survivors to ensure that their voice was heard and present in ensuring that federal anti-trafficking initiatives were grounded in the experiences of those most deeply impacted.

President George W. Bush (2001 – 2009)
President George W. Bush made fighting human trafficking a cornerstone of his administration stating that, “No one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.” The President signed to amend and reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2003, 2005, and 2008. This greatly refined and expanded existing legislation, providing for greater criminal provisions, extraterritorial jurisdiction over trafficking offenses, and improved methods to hold traffickers accountable. In 2003, President Bush championed the PROTECT (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today) Act which increased penalties for federal crimes against children and provided law enforcement with more tools to prevent, investigate, and prosecute child abuse, trafficking, and violent crimes. President George W. Bush placed special emphasis on combating trafficking abroad, too. In 2008, he spearheaded a $50 Million Initiative to Combat Trafficking in Persons, empowering international projects to support rescue, vocational training, and law enforcement task forces in countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, and Tanzania, among many others.

President Bill Clinton (1993 – 2001)
On October 28, 2000, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), and President Clinton subsequently signed it into law. This marked the first federal law to combat trafficking in persons. It dramatically expanded the fight against human trafficking, establishing both the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking and the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking within the Department of State. These two entities spearhead domestic and global efforts to prosecute traffickers, protect victims, and prevent the continuation of trafficking. Clinton initially outlined this three-fold strategy in a 1998 executive directive, cementing the United States’ bedrock approach to the issue. Earlier, in 1994, Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act, which established federal criminal provisions and grant programs to improve the criminal justice system’s approach to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Not only did this heighten protection for women but it mitigated the perpetration of acts that perpetuate human trafficking.

In the spirit of Human Trafficking Prevention Month:

~Learn more about the history behind the Month here.
~Explore the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons here.
~Consider writing a letter to your Representative to request their continued support towards ending modern slavery TODAY.