DIASPORA |

Ugandans living in Canada have embarked on a campaign to break the silence on youth and women trafficking. 

The campaign dubbed breaking the silence was launched in 2019 in Toronto Canada, to speak out on issues affecting the youth, women, and the girl child in Uganda. 

According to Solome Nanvule, one of the Ugandan community leaders in Canada, also the convener of the breaking the silence crusade, this years’ Convention which is set to take place on September 10-12, 2021 in  Toronto, Canada, will run under the theme; Youth, women, and allies to act against Human trafficking. 

“Human trafficking can happen to any person, regardless of age, culture, income, orientation, gender or neighborhood. Traffickers find their victims online, at schools, malls, parties, libraries and bus stops. Studies have shown that although traffickers recruit from all areas and backgrounds, marginalized, lower-income young people are often more at risk,” Nanvule said.

Breaking the silence campaign, holds dialogue on all forms of trafficking national or transitional, linked or not linked to organized crime and taking in all persons who are victims of trafficking (women, men or children). 

The convention will feature different dignitaries from the government of Uganda and international speakers who will give key note addresses on sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery and the removal of organs. 

“The main added value of the Convention is human rights perspective focusing on victim protection, violation of human rights and an offence to dignity along with the integrity of the human being,” Nanvule explained. 

Nanvule further explained that the Convention which will take place at the Royal King Banquet Hall, 181 Rexdale BLVD, M9W 1R2 Toronto Canada, will also discuss strategies to address youth and human trafficking. 

She noted that the convention will also find ways on how to support youth and women speak out against girls and women trafficking. 

The founder Pelletier Teenager Mothers’ Foundation (PTMOF), a Non-profit organization that works with pregnant teenagers, teen mothers, with their children in nurturing a positive mental health, physical and social development of traumatized young parents of Uganda, helping them to re integrate back into their communities said the convention will help build resourceful and resilient youth communities to address domestic violence which affects both women and children. 

The convention will according to Nanvule discuss and equip youth and women with empowerment skills to allow growth, economic transformation, development of Uganda along with those living in the diaspora.  

This years’ convention was launched on Monday 15, at Post bank Uganda, where those interested in attending the event in Canada can do their bookings.