On World Day Against Trafficking, Arise's anti-slavery networks engaged in widespread awareness-raising activities, which included hosting forums, organising marches, and releasing videos to educate the public about trafficking warning signs.
India
The India network organised marches and information sessions, informing the public of the risks of human trafficking and the red flags to be aware of. Arise India Coordinator, Sr Sherly Thomas, summarised the events of the day:
'We're aiming to strengthen resilience against exploitation and underlying socio-economic and cultural vulnerability through awareness campaigns. We engage with as many people as we can - explaining the risks of human trafficking, and promote discussions in terms of changing policy and strengthening prevention measures.'
Above: Arise's India network marks World Day Against Trafficking, July 2023 (Credit: Sr Sherly Thomas SJL).
Nigeria
The Nigeria network organised similar events with partners, sparking important public discussions about the scourge of trafficking. See more photos from the Nigeria network here. Arise Nigeria Coordinator, Chinomso Osuji, reported:
'Our partners, and members of the NCWR anti-trafficking network across the country, stormed the streets, schools, churches, hospitals and marketplaces raising awareness to mark July 30th - World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
It was a great joy to see our network members organise and come out en masse, either as network provincial teams or jointly with local actors (government, CSOs and international development partners), for rallies, road walks, sensitisation and campaigns in schools, churches, streets and hospitals.'
Above: Various awareness demonstrations in Nigeria, July 2023 (Credit: Chinomso Osuji).
Albania
Arise's partners in the Albanian URAT anti-trafficking network ran awareness campaigns, and released educational videos on human trafficking. The videos can be viewed on the URAT Network Facebook page. Arise Albania Coordinator, Anxhela Bruci, summarised the day:
'Increased coordination has become more critical with the current dynamics of human trafficking, and the URAT anti-trafficking network is committed to working towards promoting human dignity and creating an accessible network for anti-trafficking actors and victims of trafficking.
In order to increase awareness against human trafficking and to strengthen cooperation with public institutions, during the month of July 2023, the organisations part of the URAT network have undertaken awareness campaigns to emphasise the role that identification has in the fight against trafficking.'
Read the recent URAT statement on the trafficking of men and boys.
Above: URAT awareness activities in July 2023, (Credit: Anxhela Bruci).
Watch the URAT 2023 Awareness Campaign Video below:
Philippines
Arise's Philippines office co-hosted a stakeholders forum to discuss trafficking prevention in the Philippines. The event was attended by representatives from parliament, child-rights activists, civil servants and police representatives, the third sector, the CBCP Council Against Human Trafficking, and religious leaders. Senator Risa Hontiveros gave an excellent speech, which can be read here. Arise Philippines Coordinator, Tes Marfil, said this:
'The first Bicol Stakeholders Networking Against Human Trafficking, marking the UN's 9th World Day Against Human Trafficking, was held on on July the 29th at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Bicol Province.
This event was organised to raise awareness on Human Trafficking in the Bicol Region, establish a Bicol Network advocating against human trafficking, and establish a core group for continued coordination and monitoring of Bicol Stakeholders Networking Against Human Trafficking
The event in Antipolo was organised to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, to capacitate diocesan leaders for the ministry against human trafficking, and to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with the government agencies for the effective engagement of the campaign to end modern slavery with the grassroots.'
Above: (L-R) Senator Risa Hontiveros, Executive Secretary CBCP-ECMI Fr. Roger Manalo CS, Arise Philippines Coordinator Tes Marfil, Sr. Ma. Genevieve Lazaro OP and Sr. Ma. Jesusa Enginco OP (Credit: Office of Senator Hontiveros).