-This is Taking Steps to End Urgent Human Trafficking Crisis;
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Kenya,Mombasa to play a pivotal role in the fight against human trafficking as it plans host a local walk on Saturday, October 14, 2023 along Mombasa streets organized by the globally respected nonprofit A21 group.
According to the Local volunteer host Muema kelvin, this ‘Walk for Freedom’ (WFF) will be part of the World’s largest anti-human trafficking event in an annual event that will see participants from hundreds of Cities across dozens of Countries join forces to raise awareness to combat modern day slavery.
“Mombasa residents will join tens of thousands of people around the globe to participate in anti-human trafficking nonprofit A21’s 9th annual awareness and fundraising event, Walk for Freedom, “said Kelvin.
He pointed out that an alarming 49.6 million individuals are currently entrapped in human trafficking, suffering exploitation for their bodies and labor.
“This modern-day slavery persists, often concealed in plain sight within our neighborhoods. In response, community members from across Cities in Africa will be walking in single-file lines and distributing flyers (see attached) with information about local trafficking hotline numbers, victim identification strategies, and how to make a report, “said Kelvin.
He said that Mombasa residents are determined to abolish slavery by not only shining a light on this urgent issue but also educating their community about identifying and reporting potential victims.
“Walk for Freedom, now in its 9th year, is a global initiative encompassing hundreds of cities and Towns, noted Kelvin.
He said that the ‘Mombasa Walk for Freedom’ will commence at Naivas Mwembe Tayari loading bay at 9 am after registration which starts at 8:30 am while Participants will be forming a single-file line, carrying posters and distributing flyers and the walk will wind through the City streets, concluding at Mama Ngina Water Front.
Kelvin said participants and passersby will receive crucial information on local trafficking hotlines, victim Identification strategies, and reporting procedures.
“This event is part of a global effort that has already reached over 250 million people in 72 countries, with thousands of events, tens of thousands of participants, and over half a million awareness materials distributed, “noted Kelvin.
Kelvin explained that ‘A21’, the driving force behind ‘Walk for Freedom’, operates in 19 locations across 14 Countries and employs a multi-dimensional strategy of Reach, Rescue, and Restore to combat modern-day slavery.
He said that recent reports from A21 highlight the vital impact of 24/7 trafficking hotlines and critical Awareness and prevention campaigns around the World, which have significantly reduced Vulnerabilities in the countries where A21 is based.
“There are a number of walks across South Africa this year such as Cape Town, Stellenbosch,George, Plettenberg Bay, Secunda, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Jeffreys Bay, “noted Kelvin.
Christine Caine, Co-Founder of A21, underscored the event’s significance, stating, “A21 currently Operates in 19 cities across 14 countries worldwide, but thanks to the commitment of each walk Host and participant, this year’s walk will expand our reach exponentially, spanning hundreds of Cities in dozens of countries. Awareness is about moving people from looking at the statistics of
Human trafficking to actually seeing the people who are caught up in the cycle of exploitation.When you truly see, you cannot unsee.”
South Africa Country Manager, Katie Modrau, remarked, “Human trafficking is a harsh reality in Africa, but together, we have the power to bring it to an end. We receive calls daily on the National Human Trafficking Hotline reporting cases, or suspicious activity. Awareness events like this are Essential to ensure South Africans know about the crime and know who to call if they see it around Them. Our community is taking immediate local action, distributing flyers with local hotline Numbers to educate and equip people in the fight against human trafficking. As awareness grows in our neighborhoods and communities worldwide, the vulnerabilities will decrease and our Neighbors who are being exploited could experience freedom.”
To participate in your local Walk for Freedom or engage in the ‘Walk for Freedom’ Challenge online, Please visit a21.org/walk.
A21 is a global nonprofit organization determined to eradicate human trafficking through Awareness, intervention, and aftercare. Currently operating in 19 locations, 14 countries, A21
It also Aims to combat modern-day slavery through a multi-dimensional operational strategy through Reach, Rescue, and Restore.
Through partnerships and the efforts of supporters all over the globe, A21 truly believes that a multitude of victims can be identified and assisted, and perpetrators can be brought to justice.
ENDS;
