St. Bakhita Day holds significant importance in the global fight against human
trafficking, being a strong reminder of the strength and courage of survivors of
modern slavery and human trafficking across the world.
On the 8th of February 2024, the URAT anti-trafficking Network in Albania came
together at Famullia e Shen Dominikut in Albania to honour St. Bakhita’s Day. Over
50 community members, youth, representatives from various religious
congregations and frontline anti-trafficking organisations participated in a diverse
interfaith programme, which aimed to raise awareness of human trafficking and give
more information to community members about its most recent evolving forms.
The story of St. Bakhita is one of triumph over hardships and continuous injustice.
St. Bakhita was a young woman from South Sudan, who endured the atrocities of
slavery before finding freedom and becoming a symbol of hope for victims of human
trafficking across the world. Her journey is a ray of light, guiding us as we seek to
break down the barriers and challenges in our fight against modern slavery and
human trafficking.
The event provided a forum to listen, dream and act, reflecting on this year’s theme
of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking
honouring St. Bakhita Day. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions about
the realities of human trafficking and the importance of upholding human dignity.
Through the programme, participants reaffirmed their commitment to combating
human trafficking and supporting survivors.
The presence of community members, youth, frontline organisations, and religious
congregations was a testament to the widespread support for the cause. They all
united together with a shared purpose: to honour St. Bakhita, keep in our thoughts the hardships and challenges victims of human trafficking are faced with, and unite forces to fight against human trafficking. This unity of purpose was a driving force behind this event’s success.
Participating in the event provided valuable insights into the complexities of human
trafficking and the diverse approaches to combating it. Attendees gained a deeper
understanding of the root causes of trafficking and the importance of survivor–
centred interventions. The exchange of knowledge and experiences enriched
everyone’s understanding of the issue and highlighted the need for continued
learning and collaboration.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding human
dignity and solidarity with survivors. With ongoing collaboration and collective action,
we can build a future where victims and survivors are treated with dignity and respect to build hopeful futures.
