AFRICAN GIRLS, BEWARE The ages between 18 and 22 represent the period during which teenagers, both male and female, are at their most vulnerable. But this is also the period in which teenagers are more prone to experiment, encouraged by their sense of adventure. Youthful passions make them believe they are ready to conquer the world. It is these factors which render young people in this age group to be easy prey for exploitation. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Alabuga Start Programme targets this very segment of Africa's population for exploitation in its secretive recruitment drive for deployment in Russian factories. The Alabuga Start Programme is very strict on both age and gender. Only girls who are aged between 18 and 22 are accepted to enter the programme for what they are promised is an adventure in Europe. From our on-going investigations, it has become clear the Alabuga Start programme deliberately targets adolescent girls. Because adolescence also brings pressure to excel, it can be a time of confusion for teenagers, given the physical and mental changes that take place during this time. Girls of this age group are easily manipulated into believing anything offered by this programme, especially the allure of adventure and an opportunity to explore the world. It is a time when they are trying to discover themselves and the world around them. This is the riskiest age for young women, as evidence suggests that risky behavior during adolescence is a normal part of development and reflects a biologically driven need for exploration. That is why this secretive recruitment programme also raises deep concerns about the potential for s€xu@l exploitation of the targeted young African women. This is so because Russian state-backed media describe Alabuga Start as also an opportunity for African women to find eligible (Russian) men. This has brought to the fire an additional disturbing aspect. It has been reported that there is a horrendous trend of some Russian social media users, including Tatarstan locals, discussing Alabuga Start participants in deeply r@cist and s€x!st terms including “chocolates”, “baboons”, “slaves”, and “foreigners from poor countries”. African girls suffer r@cism and s€x!sm. Both in-person and online, female African recruits are repeatedly degraded and patronised. Official Alabuga SEZ documentation refers to African women as “mulattoes”. Originally used to denote a person of mixed black and white descent, the term is highly r@cist in English and dated, often offensive, even in Russian. SEZ officials use r@cial terminology to distinguish African women from South Asian women. Alabuga Start wear is also a distinct and infantilising ‘schoolgirl’ uniform. So far, there is little evidence of anyone returning home from the Alabuga Start Programme; poor pay means that even if they could leave, they would be unable to afford flights. *Relatives of participants have expressed anxiety online about some of the girls’ current state and future.* Other than being used in drone factories to manufacture drones for use in the Russia -Ukraine war, there is growing concern that the girls might also end up being used for human trafficking and s€xu@l exploitation. John 8:32 "And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” #zambianwhistleblower #zwb ©️ Zambian Whistleblower (ZWB).