Two young women about be trafficked wait for a juju ritual to be performed on them. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

A juju ritual is performed on Betty. A white powder is used to mark the woman out for the god Okun to take her soul. He will keep her soul until she has earned enough to pay her debt to her trafficker. Failure to pay the debt, which can amount to US$ 50,000, is a death sentence. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

A girl is symbollically offered at the river during a juju ritual. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

A white powder is used to mark a woman out for a Yoruba god to take her soul. He will keep her soul until she has earned enough to pay her debt to her trafficker. Failure to pay the debt, which can amount to US$ 50,000, is a death sentence. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Mary does a day shift. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Jessica, Ruth and Rachel in the hotel room where they live. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Jessica and Otta get ready to go to work in the hotel room they share with other Nigerian women. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Gina rests after working all night. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

A client hit Jessica in the eye the previous night, but her illegal residence status means she cannot report abuse. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Nigerian evangelical church. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Joy returns home after working in the streets. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Faith and Joy working during the day. Thousands of Nigerian women are trafficked to Europe every year and forced to work in the sex industry. Having entered countries illegally, they are pushed to the periphery of society and have little access to social care. They remain in financial debt to their traffickers, and are also controlled by juju, a voodoo ritual whereby an oath of loyalty is pledged between a god, the trafficker and the woman.

Contemporary Issues - 1st prize