By: Shaya Rogers, Staff Reporter | STATISTICS FROM THE UN GIFT (GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING) ABOLITIONMEDIA.ORG/ABOUT-US/MODERN-SLAVERY-STATISTICS, WEB
Albuquerque will host a charity run to benefit Aliento, an organization that fights against all forms of human slavery, said Fitness major Rayson Rockwell.
The Nov. 3 run will pass along the Bosque and help the Mexico-based charity to empower women and raise awareness about modern slavery.
He said that students will benefit from educating themselves about human slavery and creating awareness for the organization.
“I didn’t even know about human slavery issues until I started coming to CNM, and I’m 28 years old. It’s good for youngsters to be aware of what is really going on in the world,” said Rockwell.
He wants to create more attention for the organization so more people can be a part of the change, he said. Rockwell said he has been trying to raise awareness and hopes students will get involved.
“I’m trying to spread the word at the fitness lab, because everyone works out there anyway,” he said.
Daniela Romo, the CEO and founder of Aliento, said her faith-based organization is focused on helping women all over Mexico improve their lives and realize their worth. Aliento is a nonprofit organization and the funds raised go to buying a home in Mexico as well as providing counseling and career training, she said.
She wants people to be aware that slavery is happening all around and to do something about it, she said. it is everyone’s obligation
“It’s happening so much, and we need to make people aware of that and that we have the power to stop it ourselves,” she said.
Romo said she wants her generation to move forward and to know the importance of helping those who do not have a voice.
“I really want to make a call out to our generation: ‘Hey, stop wasting time and let’s make something happen,’” she said.
She said it may seem like a small thing — just signing up and going to a run — but it makes a huge difference.
“The people showing up and supporting us does a lot. It shows us, these people are behind us and we can do this,” she said.
She wants people to know that it is not just about raising money, it is about raising awareness and support for all of humanity, she said.
“I really want people to come out to this event, not for the money, not for the numbers, but to say we are going to stand here and do everything possible. We are going to say ‘we care about these women and these girls,’” she said.
Runners will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 behind the Wal-Mart on Coors at I-40. To register for Run Like A Girl, visit runlikeagirl2012.com. For more information about Aliento, visit casaaliento.org.
The Global Victims of Human Slavery
The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age. Many trafficking victims have at least middle-level education.
- Approximiately 1.2 million children are affected each year
- 95 percent of victims experienced physical or sexual violence during trafficking
- 43 percent of victims are used for forced commercial sexual exploitation | 98 percent are women and girls
- 32 percent of victims are used for forced economic exploitation | 56 percent are women and girls
