“It happens everywhere.”
That is the point Sheryl WuDunn, co-author of “Half the Sky,” made while discussing human trafficking and forced prostitution at this year’s Convocation at the RBC Center.
Approximately 4,500 attended convocation, which included students, the band, cheerleaders and volunteers, according to Justine Hollingshead, director of the GLBT center and volunteer for this year’s Convocation.
The event also hosted clubs from the University and a variety of activities for students and orientation counselors was featured on center court.
The Convocation ceremonies featured speakers such as Student Body President Kelly Hook, Interim Provost Warwick Arden and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Thomas Stafford.
“Convocation is an introduction to life here at N.C State,” Arden said in his speech.
WuDunn said she wanted to take the Convocation attendees on a journey, starting in China. Her speech was accompanied by pictures shown to the crowd as she told stories of different abuse victims.
“I hope ‘Half the Sky’ can be the beginning of your intellectual stretch,” WuDunn said.
According to WuDunn, students are an incredible force for bringing about change.
“We have the means to save them, it’s not rocket science; we just don’t have the political will,” WuDunn said.
WuDunn divided her book into two themes: the moral problem of this century and how to fight poverty and terrorism.
“The central moral problem of this century is the oppression of women and girls throughout the world,” WuDunn said. “One of the best ways to help fight poverty and terrorism is to educate girls.”
During her discussion, WuDunn also shared emotional statistics about maternal health.
“In the rest of the world, one woman dies every minute-and-a-half during childbirth,” WuDunn said. “In total, one in seven women die during childbirth.”
According to WuDunn, these issues are mostly happening in other countries, which are a distant thought for people living in the United States.
“Each individual can help,” WuDunn said. “Every little bit helps.”
Research has shown nothing in life can elevate a person’s level of happiness once they have their needs met, WuDunn said, except contributing to something bigger than themselves.
“Here is the cause, here’s the movement. Join the movement and help feel happier,” WuDunn said in her closing remarks Monday night.
Tom Stafford said he found “Half the Sky” to be an incredible book and found WuDunn’s speech interesting.
“[The speech] was really good. First of all, the book is incredible. It’s the kind of book I’m pleased to read because it provides a very powerful and strong indication of the problems in the world,” Stafford said. “I hope students tonight try to take this challenge and try to help address the issue.”
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