Durban – The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development will be leading a walk for freedom against human trafficking in Durban at the weekend.
The department said deputy minister John Jeffery would lead a walk to raise awareness about human trafficking on Saturday, October 15.
The walk has been organised by Abolishing All Injustices in the 21st Century (A21) in partnership with the department and other stakeholders.
A21 is a non-profit organisation which aims to end slavery by reducing vulnerability, identifying victims and empowering survivors.
“The Walk for Freedom is an integral part of joint efforts to prevent human trafficking as well as raising awareness and providing information to recognise and report human trafficking. The event is not a protest, but a silent, single-file walk on behalf of the millions of people who are trapped in slavery today,” the department said.
A21 said that since its inception, Walk for Freedom had reached over 250 million people across 72 countries, with thousands of events and tens of thousands of participants.
“The lasting impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic along with devastating ripple effects from Russia's war against Ukraine have heightened pre-existing vulnerability – making countless individuals more susceptible to traffickers’ tactics than ever before,” said Christine Caine, A21's co-founder.
“That's why Walk For Freedom is more important than ever – because awareness is essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations from the schemes of traffickers. There's power in gathering together, in showing up in force, and equipping communities across the world with the tools to reduce vulnerability and identify victims, and take action right where they are,” she said.
Three walks have been planned for KwaZulu-Natal, in Ballito, Durban and in eManzimtoti.
In Durban, the event will start on the beachfront promenade, in front of the Marine Life Savers, at 8.30am on Saturday.