Featured image: Join us for a hike and Move for Freedom to raise awareness of human trafficking | Photo by DisobeyArtPh on Envato

Partnering to raise awareness of human trafficking

By JourneyWoman

On July 8, Wild Women Expeditions and JourneyWoman are joining forces to host a Toronto-based Move for Freedom hiking event to raise funds for Ally Global Foundation. Ally Global Foundation is a Canadian charity working to prevent human trafficking and provide survivors with resources to enable their healing process. Ally assists women with finding safe housing, educational opportunities and job training in Nepal and Cambodia, and provides training and trafficking awareness programs in Canada.

For trafficking survivors, the security found in a safe home is the necessary foundation to begin building meaningful, healthy relationships and independence. As women work through their past trauma and gain confidence, they can also provide an encouraging, inspiring environment for their children.

“I’m always reminded of the impact our donors and engaged community have on the lives of women and children when I come to visit our safe homes and offices overseas. So thank you to you and your team for taking the step to engage with the work Ally is doing in Nepal, Cambodia, and Canada.” ~ Nikki Routley, VP of Operations,, Ally Global Foundation

Human trafficking is a global problem

According to the United Nations, human trafficking is a massive problem, with estimates ranging as high as 50 million people worldwide. No country is immune to this crime, and as caring and curious travellers actively moving around our world, we have an opportunity to see things that others don’t. As keen observers of people, communities and cultures, we can help make our world safer for everyone. That includes understanding the pervasive and growing trend of human trafficking.

A big first step in educating yourself on this matter is to learn more about the myths, pervasiveness of human trafficking and the global impact on women, displaced populations and vulnerable people. There are several travel products that put vulnerable people at risk of exploitation, such as voluntourism, orphanage tourism or mega-events. To learn more about the signs and impact of human trafficking, please read “What Women Need to Know About Human Trafficking and Travel”.

“An integral driving force of Wild Women Expeditions is empowering women–not just the women who travel with us, but those in the communities we visit. It’s necessary for us as a company to amplify the voices of silenced women around the world and ensure that we are doing all we can to educate, empower and change the lives of vulnerable women for the better. We are extremely excited to co-host this event with JourneyWoman, as our goals in bringing this cause to the forefront of our communities are aligned. Together, we can raise awareness about human trafficking and support survivors of exploitation through awareness, education and fundraising efforts like the Move for Freedom.” ~Jennifer Haddow, CEO of Wild Women Expeditions

“Human trafficking is an issue that connects us as women and as travellers,” says Carolyn Ray, CEO, JourneyWoman. “We may think it doesn’t happen here in Canada, but it does. We may think we can’t do something to help, but we can, simply by being aware of the signs and alerting hotel staff, flight attendants and others who have been trained to help prevent this from happening to vulnerable women and girls.”

About the Event

We will gather at 10am on July 8th, 2023 (rain or shine–let’s hope for SHINE!) at Rouge National Urban Park, the largest urban park in North America in support of Ally’s monumental work. It’s in the name ‘MOVE FOR FREEDOM’, so we are moving our bodies, and hoping to raise money for this charity! Explore the trails that wind through the meadows, forests and wetlands along the Rouge and Little Rouge River with you, your family, friends, and others (this is not a women-only event!), in support of the women in Nepal and Cambodia.

Join Our Fundraising Team

It’s simply a walk in the park but one that has incredible ripples. Just add your name to our team page, create your individual fundraising goal and meet a fun group of adventurers who like to hike, travel and support the betterment of women’s lives everywhere.

Every penny will help to make a difference, and we really hope that you and your friends and family will be able to join us on July 8th!

Your support and donations DO have a major impact on the women and children affected by human trafficking! And we need YOUR HELP!.

Join our team, tell your friends and family about the cause, collect donations, and come out on July 8th! It’s that simple!

Event Details

When: July 8th, 2023
Where: Rouge National Urban Park
Time: 10am EST – 12pm EST (or at your leisure–you can choose to walk with the group or independently at any time on this day)
Rendezvous point: Zoo Road Day Use Area–look for our signs and banners, we will be stationed at a picnic table!

Pick your trail–there are three to choose from that are 3 to 4.5 km long (approximately 1-2 hours roundtrip, depending on your pace). For those who wish to make a day of it, there are longer routes too and some perfect picnic spots! You may also bike or e-bike on these trails!

• • Vista Trail
  • Orchard Trail
  • Cedar Trail and the Beare Wetlands Loop

Come with your friends, family and your dog–and get outside! JourneyWoman will provide each participant (including dogs!) with a colourful bandana.

Please note: This is not a women-only event! A light snack and water will be provided but you must bring your own refillable container.

Rouge National Urban Park is conveniently accessible by public transit, bike and car. More information can be found here.

If you don’t live in Toronto, but would still like to participate in the Move for Freedom event, you can still join our team, fundraise and walk in your local area. We encourage you to organize your own gathering and share your meeting place on both the Wild Women Facebook Group and JourneyWoman Facebook group–you may be surprised to learn how many community members live in your city and want to join you!

Wild Women Expeditions will MATCH all donations that are raised on our team page up to a maximum of $5000 CAD. It’s important to us to support projects and women in the countries that we travel to. Our community knows no borders and we thank you for being a dedicated and essential member.

Together, we can raise awareness about human trafficking and support survivors of exploitation through awareness, education and fundraising efforts. We hope you join us for our Move for Freedom event, and we look forward to walking with you in July!

From the Wild Women Expeditions & JourneyWoman Team

Connect with us and let’s chat online!
Join the Wild Women Expeditions community via our Facebook group here.
Join the JourneyWoman Facebook page here.

If you think someone is a victim of Human trafficking, contact:
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline, 1 833 900-1010, 9-1-1, or your local police
National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888

Stay Safe While You Travel