IOM is joining forces with the South African government, the
International Labour Organization (ILO), national radio station
Metro FM and the Kaiser Chiefs soccer team to raise awareness on
the dangers and consequences of human trafficking in South Africa.

The 4th annual Human Trafficking Awareness Week, which will run
from 4 to 10 October, will rally the support of non-governmental
organizations and the private sector around this year's theme:
“Human Trafficking is real: Tsireledzani!”

The event is part of a European Commission funded national
counter-trafficking programme which aims to reduce the
vulnerability to trafficking, rescue victims and provide them with
adequate protection, support and reintegration assistance. The
programme also aims to track and disrupt trafficking networks and
to convict those who organize and benefit from the trade. 

Highlights of the week will include the airing of talk shows and
Public Service Announcements on national television and radio
networks, print and online media as well as the distribution of
information materials in schools, shopping malls, and other high
visibility areas.

Members of the Kaizer Chiefs  soccer team will also address
their supporters and wear t-shirts encouraging the public to report
suspected cases or find out more information about human
trafficking through IOM's toll-free helpline number: 0800 555
999.

IOM will hold a national technical workshop on human trafficking
and launch an educational animated web story for children.

The Human Trafficking Awareness Week is one of South Africa's
key interventions against human trafficking. It was initiated in
2006 by IOM's Southern African Counter-Trafficking Assistance
Programme (SACTAP) in partnership with South African marketing
company Diasporafric and with the support of Metro FM, SABC and the
Daily Sun Newspaper.

For more information, please contact:

Nde Ndifonka

IOM Pretoria

Tel: +27 12 342 2789

E-mail: "mailto:nndifonka@iom.int">nndifonka@iom.int