We present a new campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking

Under the slogan “Make History. Be part of the last generation to see human trafficking” the campaign denounces that this type of slavery still exists in the 21st century

Slavery was abolished in Spain 150 years ago, almost 100 years since universal suffrage and more than 30 years since the end of apartheid. However, a type of slavery that affects millions of people around the world still exists today: human trafficking. In light of this alarming reality, Mumbai Smiles has launched a new campaign entitled “#breakwithtrafficking. Make History”. This action seeks to mobilize society in the fight against one of the most serious and persistent human rights violations in the 21st century.

The campaign, which begins on September 23 on the occasion of the “International Day against sexual exploitation and trafficking of women, children and girls”, exposes how human trafficking continues to be a phenomenon in our modern era. Every year, more than 500,000 people become new victims of trafficking worldwide, which equates to one victim every minute. In total, more than 50 million people are trapped in this form of modern slavery, being sexually exploited, subjected to forced labour, domestic service, forced marriages or organ trafficking.

It all starts with not staying indifferent

While the world advances with unprecedented tools and knowledge, human trafficking persists due to the lack of resources and laws to deal with human mafias. Jaume Sanllorente, founder and general director of the NGO, is clear: “The eradication of human trafficking is not just a challenge for the authorities. It is a task that begins with each one of us. The great social movements that have achieved historic changes began with the decision of ordinary people to question the unacceptable. Human trafficking must be the next vestige of history, and this begins with not staying indifferent.”

At Mumbai Smiles we promote projects against human trafficking based on prevention, intervention and rehabilitation, and we offer awareness-raising activities for citizens, as well as specific training for professionals who work with potential victims of trafficking. We also have a program to involve schools and colleges and thus raise awareness among young people about the dangers of social networks as a method of recruitment for human trafficking. In fact, Sanllorente admits that traffickers often go ahead of organizations and authorities, and that the internet and social networks have become the most used form of recruitment, making us all potential targets. That is why the activist reminds us of the importance of raising awareness among the population and allocating resources for this, adding that “human trafficking must be eradicated, not only as an objective of our organization, but as a global imperative.”