The World Day against Trafficking in Persons is commemorated on 30 July every year. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the vulnerability of many to human trafficking as people have lost jobs, or have their income-generating activities slowing down or halted.
Despite decades of independence, Africa still struggles to provide its people opportunities for subsistence. As a result, traffickers take advantage of their desperation for survival, “luring them into slave-like work without proper or no remuneration in their home country or in other countries”.
In a statement, AACC General Secretary Rev Dr Fidon Mwombeki called on church leadership to “advocate with governments to be responsible by providing employment opportunities and enabling environment for the increasing population of youth to be gainfully employed”, to reduce their quests to leave their countries through unsafe means.
He also urged churches to caution believers “to follow due processes of migration or travels to (their) country of choice” if they wish to explore opportunities overseas. Churches were encouraged to use special prayers and presentations to increase awareness of the dangers and crime of human trafficking on 26 July or 2 August.
Click here to read full statement