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Ghana 1.jpg

#WallsCANBloom Ghana

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom.This specific mural was created by various artists from the local community on the building of the Canadian Embassy in Accra, Ghana. It highlights the importance of education to the prevention of child and forced marriage, and states that 'A child is not a bride nor a labourer - she is Ghana's future. Empower her!'.

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#WallsCANBloom Kenya

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa. The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom. This specific mural was created at the Migori Primary School and shows the importance of education for young girls. On the far right, a girl is being led away from school and her education, and towards a life of forced marriage.

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#WallsCANBloom Mali

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom.This specific mural was created by artist ANW-KO'ART with the local community and has several different scenes protesting against early and forced marriage. In one scene, there is a girl being forced to wear a wedding ring, and elsewhere a pregnant girl watches another girl go to school, with the latter celebrating her access to education. At the start of the mural is the phrase 'give me the time to realise my ambitions', with girls holding signs that state 'no to early marriage', 'we want to survive' and 'our studies'. 

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#WallsCANBloom Nigeria

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom.This specific mural focuses on the importance of education in the fight against early and forced marriage. Two children stand in the centre of the piece, both holding pencils as if they were weapons, which they will use to fight forced marriage. Surrounding them are the words 'dream big', 'respect', 'aspire', 'knowledge' and 'empowerment'.

Blooming Walls Senegal 2016.jpg

#WallsCANBloom Senegal

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom.This specific mural shows children both at school and in forced marriages. It states that children should have full access to high quality education and should not be forced to marry. The piece, created by local artist Docta, highlights the importance of education and encourages children to stay in school to gain qualifications. 

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#WallsCANBloom South Africa

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom.This specific mural was created by Tladi with children from Soshanguve Seconday School. In one scene, a girl sits below a tree reading a book and there is a heart with the phrase 'love education' in it. In another scene, there is a portrait of a girl with a graduation cap on and a second girl is accepting a degree in a graduation cap and gown. There are also women reading texts on the left hand side of the mural and women as doctors on the right. 

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#WallsCANBloom Tanzania

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa.The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom.This specifc mural was created on the Kizinga Primary School in Mbagala, Tanzania by the students and local community. It promotes the importance of education, showing girls in graduation cap and gown on the right, having received their education and moving onto employment.

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#WallsCANBloom Zimbabwe

This piece was part of a series of murals created in 9 countries across Africa. The #WallsCANBloom campaign was launched by the Government of Canada in 2016, whereby the government committed $80 million to ending early and forced marriage in Africa. The murals were created on or around 16th June 2016, which is the International Day of the African Child. Local artists, activists, NGOs, schools and communities were involved in the design and execution of the murals. The pieces were displayed on the buildings of Canadian embassies and High Commissions and unveilings of the murals were accompanied by speeches and events. The campaign had a strong presence on Twitter with #WallsCANBloom. This mural was completed by several local artists alongside the community on the Canadian Embassy in Zimbabwe. It highlights the important role that education plays in stopping forced and early marriage. It contains phrases including 'I was married at 15 and had to drop out of school...what if...?', 'How can we support every girl to achieve her aspirations', 'I go to school with friends to learn and acquire skills' and 'I can be whatever I dream to be'.

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Aditi

This mural is one of six created by Delhi Street Art in collaboration with the Jan Sahas Foundation, which works to promote and protect the rights of socially excluded communities. The were completed amid the launch campaign of the Foundation in October 2017. The 70 foot metal facade that covered the B. R. Ambedkar Building whilst it was under construction was turned into a canvas by 10 artists from DSA. These murals highlighted the plight of abducted children, who are exploited and abused. They juxtaposed their past with their present, exposing how children are vulnerable to traffickers. The artists explained that the children in these murals are metaphors for the thousands of children who are in slavery today. This mural tells the story of 'Aditi', who lost her childhood when she was sex trafficked but is making a new life for herself in school.

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Ajay

This mural is one of six created by Delhi Street Art in collaboration with the Jan Sahas Foundation, which works to promote and protect the rights of socially excluded communities. The were completed amid the launch campaign of the Foundation in October 2017. The 70 foot metal facade that covered the B. R. Ambedkar Building whilst it was under construction was turned into a canvas by 10 artists from DSA. These murals highlighted the plight of abducted children, who are exploited and abused. They juxtaposed their past with their present, exposing how children are vulnerable to traffickers. The artists explained that the children in these murals are metaphors for the thousands of children who are in slavery today. This mural tells the story of 'Ajay', who was forced to beg for money until he was rescued by a NGO.

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Amina

This mural is one of six created by Delhi Street Art in collaboration with the Jan Sahas Foundation, which works to promote and protect the rights of socially excluded communities. The were completed amid the launch campaign of the Foundation in October 2017. The 70 foot metal facade that covered the B. R. Ambedkar Building whilst it was under construction was turned into a canvas by 10 artists from DSA. These murals highlighted the plight of abducted children, who are exploited and abused. They juxtaposed their past with their present, exposing how children are vulnerable to traffickers. The artists explained that the children in these murals are metaphors for the thousands of children who are in slavery today. This mural tells the story of 'Amina', who was sold as a child and forced into marriage.

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Because I Am A Girl (Dream Big)

In 2015, the team behind Femme Fierce (the World's Largest All Female Graffiti Street Festival) worked with Women of the World (WOW) and Plan International UK to create a series of murals against forced marriage. Over 150 female street artists took to the graffiti tunnel on Leake Street in Waterloo to support Plan UK’s fight against child and forced marriage. This project was part of Plan International’s worldwide campaign ‘Because I am a Girl’. The walls were painted blue to reflect Plan’s logo and then the female artists let their imagination run wild, painting their interpretations of ‘Because I am a Girl’.Plan International, which works to protect the rights of children, launched this campaign to fight for girls’ rights and gender equality. It is a youth-led, global movement that supports girls to take the lead and influence decisions that matter to them. The charity works on forced and child marriage throughout the world.

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First Brush

The production of this mural was headed by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, who worked with the city government of Davao, Habitat for Humanity, Philippine Women's College and Davies Paints to bring the piece to life. Around 60 artists came together to create the mural along the walls of the Southern Philippines Medical Centre, which had been designed by students of the PWC.It was created to commemorate the International Day Against Child Trafficking on 12th December 2016. The project involved the wider community to raise awareness of human trafficking and violence against women and children. The theme of the mural was 'Let our children be: Let's end Human Trafficking'.

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Good Shepherd

This mural was created by students of the Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School with those involved with the organisation Good Shepherd, which supports vulnerable women and children. In Cebu City, the organisation has a Welcome House that was established in 2007 and takes in women and children who are survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This drop-in centre provides women and children with a safe space to discuss their experiences, receive food and get help.The piece is on the wall of The Shepherd's Heart Cafe, which aims to empower beneficiaries of Good Shepherd by providing them with work and training. Initially the cafe was set up by the organisation with the help of Peace Corps volunteers Amelia Kent and Roy Adam, before being taken over and run fully by beneficiaries of the organisation. Unfortunately, as of 2018, the cafe is permanently closed. This mural highlights the economic motive behind slavery and stresses how people are sold for the profit of others. On the left hand-side, a woman sits in a pile of money, while two hands shake below her. The innocence of the young girl who is crying on the right is emphasised by the doll she is holding and her school uniform.

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Kanta

This mural is one of six created by Delhi Street Art in collaboration with the Jan Sahas Foundation, which works to promote and protect the rights of socially excluded communities. The were completed amid the launch campaign of the Foundation in October 2017. The 70 foot metal facade that covered the B. R. Ambedkar Building whilst it was under construction was turned into a canvas by 10 artists from DSA. These murals highlighted the plight of abducted children, who are exploited and abused. They juxtaposed their past with their present, exposing how children are vulnerable to traffickers. The artists explained that the children in these murals are metaphors for the thousands of children who are in slavery today. This mural tells the story of 'Kanta', who was abducted when she moved to the city and has now made a home for herself in a shelter.

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Mantu

This mural is one of six created by Delhi Street Art in collaboration with the Jan Sahas Foundation, which works to promote and protect the rights of socially excluded communities. The were completed amid the launch campaign of the Foundation in October 2017. The 70 foot metal facade that covered the B. R. Ambedkar Building whilst it was under construction was turned into a canvas by 10 artists from DSA. These murals highlighted the plight of abducted children, who are exploited and abused. They juxtaposed their past with their present, exposing how children are vulnerable to traffickers. The artists explained that the children in these murals are metaphors for the thousands of children who are in slavery today. This mural tells the story of 'Mantu', who was forced into sex work until she was rescued by an NGO.

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Overcoming the Demons

In 2016, Joel Artista, several Bengali artists and a group of local teenagers collaborated with the Meridian International Center, the US Consulate and NGO Banglanatak.com to create a mural that highlights the issues facing young people in Kolkata. The young people involved in the project had faced several difficult situations in life, including homelessness, human trafficking, poverty and addiction, but were working to overcome their pasts and were specially selected for this project because of their passion for visual art. The piece is on the large outer wall of the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, a hub of ancient and contemporary Bengali visual art. The project began with a mural workshop from Artista and, after some discussion, the group came up with images that they felt represented a journey from a dark past to a future full of hope.In one section, the young artists painted the personification of the demons in their lives and communities, portrayed as a giant fiend terrorising a city. In the next section, each student painted representations of that which gives them peace, strength and support to fight these demons: positive relationships with family and friends, activities such as art and music, religious faith and education. At the closing ceremony for the mural project, dozens gathered around to celebrate the artwork and its message.Joel Artista (Joel Bergner) has completed several murals against human trafficking and modern slavery. He is an artist, educator and activist who is celebrated for his antislavery artwork and murals. Artista's art is heavily influenced by his work with communities and non-profit organisations, and in 2015 he joined forces with Max Frieder to form Artolution. This community-based arts initiative empowers artists, youth and communities to be agents of positive social change and explore critical societal issues and create opportunities for constructive dialogue.

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Pappu

This mural is one of six created by Delhi Street Art in collaboration with the Jan Sahas Foundation, which works to promote and protect the rights of socially excluded communities. The were completed amid the launch campaign of the Foundation in October 2017. The 70 foot metal facade that covered the B. R. Ambedkar Building whilst it was under construction was turned into a canvas by 10 artists from DSA. These murals highlighted the plight of abducted children, who are exploited and abused. They juxtaposed their past with their present, exposing how children are vulnerable to traffickers. The artists explained that the children in these murals are metaphors for the thousands of children who are in slavery today. This mural tells the story of 'Pappu', who was subjected to forced labour and is building a new life for himself after his adoption.

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Second Life

This piece was created over a year by 15 artists who came together to tell the story of the Chattanooga landscape being reborn. They were inspired to create this piece for human trafficking survivors who are a part of the non-profit organisation Second Life. The idea behind the piece is that, although the outlook for survivors can often look bleak, there is hope.Second Life  was created in 2007 and aims to end human trafficking through prevention, policy and survivor services. They provide individuals, groups and organisations in the Lower East Tennessee region with knowledge of human trafficking to enable them to be aware of signs of this phenomenon and what to do if they have suspicions. They also provide expertise and support to the private and public sectors to help make effective policies that will end human trafficking. Their services also provide aftercare to survivors and they coordinate with community resource providers to address the specific needs of individual survivors.Due to the privacy of survivors and the safeguarding measures that are in place, the exact location of the mural, in East Brainerd Tennessee, is unknown.

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Student Art Against Human Trafficking - Bucaramanga

In 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) visited different areas of Colombia to educate children and young adults on how to recognise, report and prevent human trafficking. As part of this program, children from various schools and communities created murals to show their understanding of human trafficking and their support of modern slavery survivors. Of the 1,900 children with whom UNODC worked, the majority lived in areas where levels of prostitution and drug crimes are very high. This piece was created in Bucaramanga, which is the capital and largest city of the region of Santander. It depicts a woman with long, flowing hair who has broken free of the chains to the left. The phrase to the left reads 'Tu no eres una [unreadable]...di no a la trata de personas', which translates to 'you are not a [unreadable]...say no to human trafficking'.