This article firmly incorporates cultural rights as human rights for all. They relate to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, and to creative responses to a constantly changing world. A prerequisite for implementing Article 27 is ensuring the necessary conditions for everyone to continuously engage in critical thinking, and to have the opportunity to interrogate, investigate and contribute ideas, regardless of frontiers.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day is dedicated to raising awareness of sexual slavery and human trafficking worldwide. Today, there are between 21-30 million people enslaved in the world, more than at any time in human history. Every day, modern slavery can be recognized: children become soldiers, young women are forced into prostitution and migrant workers exploited in the workforce. Human Trafficking Awareness Day seeks to end this slavery, return rights to individuals and make the world a safer place for all inhabitants.
Human Trafficking Awareness Day started in 2007, when the U.S. Senate designated January 11th as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the hopes of raising awareness to combat human trafficking. It began as a U.S. initiative, and the United Nations has started to highlight this topic and work towards global awareness with days such as International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
In 2011 President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation, designating each January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The anniversary of this proclamation became known as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Slavery was officially abolished in the USA by the Thirteenth Amendment in December 1865 however sadly human trafficking is growing at an alarming rate and despite the USA being a first world country, human trafficking has become a lucrative business for some members of our society.
The victims affected and forced into modern day slavery can be of foreign nationalities or the citizens of the USA, but they are all subjected to the horrific injustices of human trafficking, including sex trafficking, forced labor, involuntary servitude, forced marriage and debt bondage.
Many of the anti trafficking organizations arrange awareness raising campaigns all year round, but particularly in January when this awareness day is recognized and publicity is at its peak. It is important to know the signs of human trafficking and who you can contact should your suspicions be raised. The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline, a resource that anyone can call to submit a tip about potential incidents of trafficking, received 20,424 calls and had 5,748 cases of trafficking reported in 2016 alone with figures increasing every year. Help raise awareness and potentially save peoples lives by educating yourself more about the despicable act of human trafficking and what you can do if you suspect anyone of being a victim or organizer of this terrifying act.
Learn more at Human Rights First.