Over 500 Residents Join ‘Walk for Freedom’ in Pune to Combat Human Trafficking
Pune, 14th October 2023: Today, more than 500 Pune citizens, including students, corporate employees, and NGO volunteers, participated in the global Walk for Freedom to amplify awareness about the grim reality of human trafficking.
The event was inaugurated by Sonal Patil, Judge/Secretary of the Pune District Legal Services Authority, and Surana, Judge at the Maharashtra State Legal Service Authority, Bombay High Court, Mumbai. Sonal Patil emphasized, “Being a part of society requires us to stay alert. While many read the newspaper daily, few pay close attention to the ongoing fight against human trafficking.”
Participants nationwide pledged to utilize all possible means to eradicate trafficking within their lifetimes. Starting and ending at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Garden in Shivajinagar, attendees walked in a single file, holding placards that highlighted human trafficking statistics. The silent walk served as a sign of solidarity with the voiceless victims of human trafficking.
This marks the second consecutive year Pune has participated in the Walk for Freedom. The event was orchestrated by a coalition of city colleges, corporations, and NGOs, led by the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority, The Movement India, Asha Care Trust, Neighbours Media Team, and ARC.
In Maharashtra alone, The Movement India coordinated Walks for Freedom in 41 locations across all districts. Prior to the event, over 110 colleges and 40 nonprofits specializing in anti-human trafficking initiatives conducted various awareness activities, reaching an offline audience of over 5,700.
According to a 2022 report by the International Labour Organization, 49.6 million people worldwide are ensnared in modern-day slavery, including exploitation for sex, labor, and organ trafficking. This means one in 150 people globally are enslaved. In India, alarming data from the 2021 National Crime Records Bureau revealed that eight children were trafficked daily last year. Recent incidents, like the exploitation of 11 daily-wage laborers in Maharashtra’s Osmanabad district, further underscore the urgency of this issue.
The Walk for Freedom is an international initiative hosted by A21, an NGO committed to ending modern-day slavery. This year’s event saw participation from over 25,000 individuals in more than 100 locations across 14 Indian states.
Christine Caine, Co-Founder of A21, said, “With persistent effort and unity, we believe we can eradicate slavery in our lifetime.”
Echoing this sentiment, Biju Thampy, Founder of The Movement India, added, “An India free from human trafficking is achievable if each citizen becomes aware and takes action.”
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