The 8th of February every year is marked out as the feast day of St. Bakhita; an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. St Josephine Bakhita was born in Southern Sudan in 1869 and was kidnapped and enslaved as a child. She was sold and finally taken to a foreign country (Italy). There, she was sold and resold and treated badly by her captors. She forgot the name her parents had given her and the name Bakhita which means āfortunate oneā was given to her by her captors. She later earned her freedom with the help of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, who guided and taught her about God. She encountered God and served Him faithfully till her death on the 8th of February, 1947 in Italy. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in October, 2000 when the Pope acknowledged that “in St. Bakhita we find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. Her life inspires a firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence and to return their dignity in the full exercise of their rights” (St. Bakhita’s Canonization Mass, 2000).
It is on this note that Uromi Justice Development Peace and Caritas initiatives (Uromi JDPCI), in line with her mandate towards rural community awareness, empowerment and welfare took to the major roads of Edo Central Senatorial District to commemorate the feast of St. Bakhita, the Patron saint for victims of trafficking. The awareness took the form of a candle light procession rally/awareness on the dangers of human trafficking. This exercise was led by the Executive Director of the Commission, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo with all staff, volunteers and some Parish JDPC members in attendance. Within the hours of 10.00am and 2.00pm, the procession train moved through major areas in Uromi through Irrua to Ekpoma. The Director conducting a prayer session before the procession.
Edo State, over the years, has been regarded as the state with the highest number of illegal migrants and trafficked persons to Europe and other foreign countries. In discouraging and reducing the
numbers of people that are being trafficked, the Commission embarked on a sensitization and awareness/prayer rally throughout the town.
The procession began at each town with an opening prayers and the sharing of some very painful experiences of victims of trafficking. The procession thereafter took to the streets with singing holding cards and banner (with inscriptions discouraging trafficking and illegal migration) and handbills were shared out to the populace. This was necessary so as to educate and inform the people on the dangers of sending their wards especially their girl children to Italy, Dubai and other countries for prostitution.
At the earmarked stop points, the Executive Director and the anti-human trafficking team of Uromi JDPCI took turned to address the public on the issue of human trafficking. The Director stated that the trend of travelling outside the country with no plan whatsoever was so common in our communities and should be discouraged. He said there were more honorable alternatives for the members of the communities rather than embarking on a suicide journey. He also mentioned that the procession was very timely as our youths and young girls were all leaving the country for the so called āgreener pasturesā which in truth is not really green and that when they get there, they are being trafficked against their will and end up becoming a nuisance to those around them.
The Director reminded them of the dangers involved in these journies, that a lot of youth die in the process and some who finally get there are being forced or compelled to do a lot of terrible things over there. Many have died, many are in prison and many more are languishing from the sufferings and pains of their journey. He encouraged parents and guidance to support their children and wards to go back to school, learn a trade or a skill to become empowered and ready for the future and become responsible citizens of their various communities. He concluded by asking all to be hardworking, and be contented with what they have. He prayed for both parents and their children that God may give them the sense of direction and help to make good choices in life. He also prayed for victims of trafficking that God may help them retrace their steps and live a better life.
The experience of St. Bakhita still lingers even in our immediate community. It is painful to hear of children, women and men deceived and taking to foreign lands for sexual exploitation, forced labour, organ harvesting and the likes with promises of a glorious future. This is sad because their dignity and human rights are being trampled upon with treats, oaths, lies and violence.
The exercise which was the first of its kind in the history of the Commission now stands as an annual event. The charge to all citizens this year are:
Ā· To learn about human trafficking,
Ā· To pray for the victims of trafficking,
Ā· To buy slave-free products and
Ā· To advocate for regional and national legislation that protects victims, helps survivors and pursues traffickers.
The rally came to a close with commendation and appreciation from some concerned indigenes of the communities on the action taken by the Commission in assisting and reminding them to keep
their children in check from allowing themselves to be trafficked by evil people who disguise themselves as helpers. They promised to be more vigilant in protecting their children and those of others from being exposed and at the end taken to Europe and turned into sex machines.
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