National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Young woman holding a globe, wearing a t-shirt with 'End Human Trafficking' message, diverse city background. — National human trafficking awareness day illustration

Picture the day: January 11 on a typical year. You might find yourself doing the usual things that make your day tick, but did you know there's a parallel, globally recognized day that's earnestly striving for change in societies? Hang on to your coffee cups folks, as we're talking about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day! So, put on your reading glasses and get ready to venture through the digital jungle of information surrounding this important topic.

When is Human Trafficking Awareness Day?

It's national human trafficking awareness day on the 11th January.

A Rumble in the Digital Jungle

Editorials, blogs, tweets, and more. Our data has detected a whopping 19009 mentions about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day! It's not quite at the level of 'cats-trying-to-bark viral,' but it absolutely rocked the internet boat on January 11, 2021, marking the day with the most mentions. Evidently, this isn't your average trending topic.

The Origin Story

Yes, even National Days have origin stories, and no, they don't involve radioactive spiders. The U.S. Senate established National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in 2007 with the aim to raise awareness about, and opposition to, human trafficking. The day became a beacon for the fight against modern-day slavery and has since been adopted globally. So, you see, this national day is like the superhero of national days — minus the spandex.

A Day of Awareness, Every Day

While January 11 holds the official title, let’s not put our awareness in a box, and instead keep it year-round! Educating ourselves about this global issue is step one; implementing change is step two. As the internet rallies around this day annually, our team will continue to track its digital footprint and update you with the latest facts and stats. Stay tuned!

History behind the term 'Human Trafficking Awareness'

1994

Early international recognition

In 1994, the United Nations (UN) held the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt. During this conference, human trafficking was acknowledged as a significant violation of human rights. This marked the beginning of international recognition and awareness towards the issue.

2000

Palermo Protocol

In the year 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, also known as the Palermo Protocol. This international legal framework provided a comprehensive definition of human trafficking and highlighted the urgent need for efforts to combat this heinous crime.

2003

First World Day against Trafficking in Persons

On December 18, 2013, the UN General Assembly designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This day aims to raise awareness about the plight of trafficking victims and promote the protection of their rights. The first observance of this day took place in 2014, marking a significant step in raising global awareness about human trafficking.

2012

UN Global Plan of Action

In 2010, the UN launched the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which outlined a comprehensive framework for governments and organizations to prevent trafficking, prosecute perpetrators, and protect victims. In 2012, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging Member States to implement this plan, further emphasizing the importance of awareness and action against human trafficking.

2018

Expanded focus on forced labor

Human trafficking awareness efforts have expanded beyond sex trafficking to include forced labor and other forms of exploitation. Recognizing this, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery in 2017, shedding light on the prevalence of forced labor worldwide. This shift in focus highlights the need to address all aspects of human trafficking and raise awareness about its various forms.

Did you know?

Did you know that human trafficking doesn’t only happen in remote areas? In fact, it can practically occur in any place around the world. Your raised awareness could potentially save a life! Talk about being a superhero!