A CATHOLIC organisation fighting modern slavery and human trafficking has launched it’s slavery-free Easter Chocolate Campaign.
Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) is asking people to name their ‘chocolate change’ in Lent and stick to it beyond Easter.
“There’s so much we can do in 2021 to help eliminate slavery or child labour,” ACRATH Executive Officer Christine Carolan said.
“Buying chocolate that is produced without the use of child labour is an easy place to start.
“Much of our chocolate is made using cocoa beans harvested by children, often in the West African region.
“Many of these children are forced into labour. We can help change this.”
This Easter Australians will buy and eat more than $200 million worth of chocolate.
Ms Carolan said the bitter truth about much of our Easter chocolate consumption is that it comes at a price in terms of child education and health.
“About 80 per cent of cocoa comes from West Africa and it is estimated that almost two million children are in child labour in these areas,” Ms Carolan said.
ACRATH has some practical chocolate buying tips that will help make a difference:
- Buy only chocolate that is certified slavery-free and features one of the logos below.
- Tell at least one person about slavery-free chocolate and share some with them. They will discover how delicious it tastes.
- Click here for a chocolate poster.
