National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board recognizes February 22 as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and stands in solidarity with all who condemn the exploitation of any person, particularly the most vulnerable among us. Although anyone can be at risk of being trafficked, women and girls account for the greatest majority of victims.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day was proclaimed by the Canadian House of Commons in February 2021 to help bring awareness to the issue of modern-day slavery in Canada and abroad. The day coincides with the 2007 declaration condemning all forms of human trafficking and slavery.

“Human trafficking is violence,” stated Pope Francis. “The violence suffered by every woman and every girl is an open wound in the body of Christ, in the body of all humanity, it is a deep wound that also affects each one of us.”

The pope’s comments were made on the World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, celebrated on February 8th, the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita. At age 7, St. Josephine was abducted by slave traders and was bought sold and resold into slavery five times before being legally declared free in 1890. Declared a saint in 2000, Saint Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and of human trafficking survivors.

The Holy Father urges all to fight against the scourge of trafficking: “Together we can and must fight to ensure that human rights are interpreted in a specific way, respecting diversity and recognizing the dignity of each person, with a special concern for those whose fundamental rights are violated.”