They joined thousands of  others across 100 other locations in India and 500+ locations in 50 countries, on the world’s largest simultaneous Walk against modern-day slavery.

175 citizens from colleges and NGOs participated in the “Walk for Freedom” to raise awareness about human trafficking at Kozhikode. 

The Walk was declared open by Mr Suresh Victor, ACP of Kozhikode District. Speaking on the occasion he instructed the gathering regarding the various forms of modern day slavery - such as commercial sexual exploitation, bonded labour, forced marriage etc -  especially those he came across in his jurisdiction, Kozhikode city. Moreover he also explained the actions taken to render justice to the victims. He urged all participants to be vigilant citizens of society. 

At the start of the Walk, participants in Kozhikode and across the nation took a pledge to do everything possible within their means to help end trafficking in their lifetimes. They then walked single file holding placards with information and statistics about human trafficking starting from and returning to St.Xaviers Arts & Science College, Kozhikode via public roads in the vicinity. The Walk was a completely silent Walk in solidarity with unheard victims of human trafficking.  

This was Kozhikode’s first year participating in the Walk for Freedom, and it was led by  St.Xaviers Arts & Science College in partnership with Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers (KAPS) and Anti-Human Trafficking Clubs.

49.6 million people are caught in various forms of modern-day slavery globally, including exploitation for sex, labour, organs, baby selling, forced marriages and domestic servitude, reports the International Labour Organisation (2022). This means that 1 in every 150 people globally are enslaved. Here in India, 8 children were trafficked every day in 2021 according to the Crime in India Report, National Crime Records Bureau (2021). In Kerala, as recently as April 2023, a baby born in Thiruvananthapuram, was sold for Rs. 3 lakh to another woman in Karamana. The baby was rescued by Childline, the Child Welfare Committee and the city police. (Deccan Herald, Kerala Kaumudi)

It is in this context that the Walk for Freedom was hosted in Kozhikode, Kerala.

About Walk for Freedom

The Walk for Freedom is hosted globally by A21, an international NGO in the fight against modern-day slavery. The national organiser for the India Walks is The Movement India, a social-impact team based in Mumbai, focusing on large-scale public advocacy to prevent human trafficking. This year the Walk for Freedom was conducted in over 100 locations, across 14 States in India, on 14th October, 2023, bringing together over 25,000 participants nationwide. 

Quotes from the organising bodies: 

“We are convinced that if we do this together, if we keep showing up, if we continue to be tenacious, if we continue to have grit, if we continue to not bow down to discouragement, but we turn up with strength, and numbers, and with courage, and with faith, then we can see slavery eradicated in our lifetime.”

– CHRISTINE CAINE 

Co-Founder - A21

“Slavery should not exist in our world when we are alive to help put an end to it. We will see an India completely free of the crime of human trafficking, when every single citizen is made aware of the crime, ways to spot it and ways to stop it.” 

-BIJU THAMPY 

Founder, The Movement India 

For further details, contact:

Esther Anna Sam

Head - Media & Communications, The Movement India

+91-98402-48773 

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