Titled Walk for Freedom (WFF) the project initiated by international non-profit organisation A21 and volunteer mobilisation group, The Movement in India, will see several Chennaiites line up at Besant Nagar beach to support the cause. 

Lawyer Nimisha Sara Philip, who is the spokesperson and creative lead at The Movement, says, “I am thrilled about being a part of this initiative and bringing it to Chennai for the first time. It will happen in Mumbai simultaneously as well, with 50 countries walking on the same day in over 400 locations.”

“Having been a part of the walk in London and New York earlier, this project has been very symbolic around the world for raising awareness and helping survivors who have been trafficked.” She added, “We are looking forward to creating ground level local impact with the walk this month in Chennai. After it, we will work on forming a community that will work in different areas, be ready to volunteer in countries across the world, raising awareness and funds in the process.”

They also plan to set up a centre eventually to rehabilitate victims of human trafficking in Chennai. “While in Mumbai, the focus is on rescuing young girls from prostitution, in TN, we are focusing on victims of bonded labour. The UN records that there are over 18 million victims of the same in India.”

Nimisha also says that it will be a silent walk, with participants all dressed in black to show solidarity and walking in a single file. “We will be sporting yellow bands with a ‘X’ on them over our mouths. It denotes the unnamed victims of bonded labour. Hopefully, some day, the X will be replaced by names of survivors.”