On this International Day for the Abolition of Slave Trade, I join the world in the campaign against slave trade which is a form of violence against women and girls.
This day serves as a solemn reminder that despite global progress, modern-day slavery still persists, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, especially women and girls.
Modern-day slavery encompasses various forms of exploitation, including forced labor, human trafficking, forced marriage, and sexual exploitation. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to these crimes due to existing gender inequalities, poverty, and discrimination. The root causes of modern slavery often lie in economic disparities, lack of education, and social instability. Traffickers prey on these vulnerabilities, luring victims with false promises of employment, education, or a better life.
According to statistics, there are over 800,000 people trafficked across international borders annually and of those, 80% are women are women or girls.
In the effort to protect women and girls against this form of violence, we can join efforts in Implement comprehensive educational programs that raise awareness about the risks and signs of modern-day slavery, we can foster discussions in communities, schools, and workplaces to challenge stereotypes and dismantle the cultural acceptance of exploitative practices, we can advocate for the enforcement and strengthening of laws against human trafficking, forced labor, and forced marriage, we can join efforts to ensure that legal frameworks are gender-sensitive and provide adequate protection for women and girls.
There is also a need to establish safe shelters and support networks for survivors, providing them with the necessary counseling, healthcare, and vocational training and the need to create economic opportunities for women and girls through skill-building programs, job training, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
As a young person, I believe that this is a dark reality that continues to haunt societies worldwide, disproportionately affecting women and girls. By joining efforts to address the root causes, raising awareness, and implementing robust protective measures, we can collectively work towards eradicating this form of violence. It is our moral imperative to stand united in the fight against modern-day slavery and ensure a future where every woman and girl can live free from exploitation and violence. #LetsUsInvestToProtect