One click, one package, one bargain – never before has consumption been as easy as it is today. Yet behind seemingly low prices lies an uncomfortable truth. Our consumption habits contribute to the exploitation of people and the environment. While we in the Global North benefit from low prices, others pay the real price, often […]
The Price of Convenience: How our consumption drives global exploitation Read More »
It often takes the voice of an A-lister to uncover social abuses. People with high levels of public influence can make issues visible which might otherwise remain hidden away for years, or even decades, on end. The recognition level of such people lends their experiences credibility and ensures their voices are heard. As a result,
Bananas are one of the world’s favourite fruits. This is no surprise as they are versatile, affordable, and delicious. Whether blended into a smoothie, baked into a cake, or enjoyed as a quick snack, bananas have become an everyday staple. Yet the reality behind this golden-yellow fruit is far from sweet. Its production is linked
Exploitation in Banana Harvesting: The Bitter Truth behind the Sweet Fruit Read More »
Social power dynamics are rarely overt. They manifest themselves not only in laws or political decisions, but most of all in everyday life: in glances, expectations and role models. This is precisely where the problem begins. Since what appears to be part of everyday life is rarely questioned. Discrimination against women is not an isolated
When power becomes invisible: How male privilege influences the exploitation of women Read More »
The term knock-out drops doesn’t refer to any one substance; it is a collective term used for a variety of medications and drugs which can be used deliberately to take away free will or render the consumer unconscious. Young women are particularly often affected, as perpetrators use the drugs as a way to commit sexual
Exploitation is not normally some sort of failing on the part of an individual; instead, it is almost always the result of structural inequality. For LGBTIQ+ people, this vulnerability exists where discrimination systematically restricts their access to protection, resources and rights. International, European and communal data unanimously show that where queer identities are marginalised, the risk
Invisibly Endangered: The Systematic Exploitation of LGBTIQ+ People Read More »
Lukas and Alexandra want nothing more than to have a child of their own. For years, they have been hoping for a miracle, trying various medical treatments and facing one disappointment after another. But after countless doctor’s appointments, one thing is clear: medical reasons make pregnancy impossible. The diagnosis hits them hard. But then Bianca,
Surrogacy: Children as commodities? Read More »
Sexual exploitation affects children and young people worldwide on an alarming scale. Many become victims before they can even comprehend the danger, whether offline at the hands of known perpetrators or online via social media and chat platforms. UNICEF emphasises that children often find themselves in situations of exploitation or abuse through false promises, power
Lost Childhood: Where Exploitation Begins Too Early Read More »
When we think of money laundering, many still picture the cliché image of gang bosses like Al Capone. Today’s reality, however, is far more sophisticated and deeply embedded in the structure of the legitimate economy. Illegally acquired assets – so-called “dirty money” – pose a major risk to offenders because they can often be traced
The Dark Economy of Human Trafficking: How Traffickers Launder Their Illegal Millions Read More »
For us in Austria, the war in Ukraine began with special ZIB broadcasts on the television. For millions of people in Ukraine, it began with a bag in hand, a hasty farewell and the hope of finding safety somewhere. Train stations became places to sleep, sports halls turned into makeshift shelters, and strangers’ cars became
Fleeing violence and exploitation Read More »