Modern Slavery: A Hidden Crisis in Plain Sight

In the last year, I’ve been learning more about modern slavery through my engagement in the Honours Program, contributing to the organization A21 (https://www.a21.org). Despite the extensiveness of its networks, modern slavery remains an underrepresented topic in today’s debates. This article aims to shed light on this issue and raise awareness about this global crisis.

Shockingly, more people are enslaved today than at any other point in history. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated?50 million people?were living in modern slavery in 2021 (ILO, n.d.). Unlike the historical image of chains and auctions, modern slavery operates in the shadows, hidden behind legitimate businesses, supply chains, or domestic settings. An important example for this is the Chocolate Industry, in which over 2 million West African Children are working to produce cocoa in Ghana and C?te d’Ivoire (Humanium, n.d.).

And even though many believe modern slavery is a problem confined to developing nations, it’s happening in Europe and other high-income countries as well. In fact, it is estimated that around 6.4 million people in Europe?and Central Asia are living in conditions of modern slavery (Walk Free, n.d.).?

The Many Faces of Modern Slavery

Modern slavery manifests in numerous forms (Anti-Slavery International, n.d.), such as:

• Forced Labor: Found in industries such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. Workers are often underpaid or unpaid, working in hazardous conditions under threat.
• Human Trafficking: Victims are transported, recruited, or harbored for exploitation, including sexual exploitation or forced labor.
• Debt Bondage: Individuals are trapped in an endless cycle of debt, often with no legal recourse.
• Child Labor: Millions of children are subjected to hazardous work, depriving them of education and a childhood.
• Forced Marriage: A form of slavery where individuals are married against their will and subjected to abuse or exploitation.????????

What Can You Do?

Recognizing the problem is the first step. Here are some actionable ways how every single one of us can drive change:

• Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the signs of modern slavery and share this knowledge (https://www.a21.org).
• Advocate for Change: Support policies and legislation aimed at eradicating modern slavery or join A21’s “Walk For Freedom”.
• Shop Responsibly: Choose brands committed to ethical sourcing and transparency (examples: Sustainable Brands - The Good Trade)
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect someone may be a victim of exploitation, report it to authorities or organizations (for example to the Netherlands Labour Authority via: +31 70 333 5678 (Netherlands Labour Authority, n.d.)).

Let's all come together and address this global issue. Please share your thoughts down below!

#ModernSlavery #HumanTraffacking #WeAreNotForSale #SpotTheSigns #EndModernSlavery

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References and Sources used for this article:

Anti-Slavery International. (n.d.). What is modern slavery? Retrieved from: https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/modern-slavery/

Humanium. (n.d.). The dark side of chocolate: child labour in the cocoa industry. Retrieved from: ??https://www.humanium.org/en/the-dark-side-of-chocolate-child-labour-in-the-cocoa-industry/

ILO. (n.d.). Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage. Retrieved from:https://www.ilo.org/publications/major-publications/global-estimates-modern-slavery-forced-labour-and-forced-marriage

Netherlands Labour Authority. (n.d.). Reporting unfair, unsafe, unhealthy working conditions or labour exploitation. Retrieved from: ??https://www.nllabourauthority.nl/topics/report/reporting-unfair-unsafe-unhealthy-working-conditions-or-labour-exploitation#:~:text=Reporting%20labour%20exploitation&text=You%20can%20report%20cases%20of,70%20333%205678%20(from%20abroad)

Walk Free. (n.d.).Modern Slavery in Europe and Central Asia. Retrieved from:??https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/findings/regional-findings/europe-and-central-asia/