Today, the world celebrates the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. The day marks 71 years from the adoption of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others (resolution 317(IV) from 2 December 1949).
United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) formulate the forms of modern-day slavery as forced labour, worst forms of child labour, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, forced marriage, forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict and trafficking in persons.
According to 2017 ILO Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage, 40.3 million people worldwide are in situation of modern slavery, including 15.4 million in forced marriage and 24.9 million in forced labour. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labour, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry, and 58% in other sectors. 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children.
To mark the day, ICMPD is joining the "WHY SLAVERY?" campaign designed and implemented by WHY Foundation (Denmark). The organisation promotes human rights by providing thought-provoking documentary films. WHY SLAVERY? campaign uncovers the stories of men, women and children trapped into modern slavery across all corners of the world and sheds a light on the stories of people living in the shadows of enslavement. In light of the current global developments and the impossibility to organise face-to-face public gatherings in many places of the world, WHY Foundation provides the campaign films online for free for everyone.
The ICMPD Anti Trafficking Programme is joining the campaign by disseminating information about the online screenings, supporting the efforts for broader awareness raising on the issues of human trafficking, exploitation and slavery-like practices.
From the 2nd to the 16th of December 2020, films will be screened live, some followed by Q& As with the directors. They will be available for watching 48 hours after the premiere.
Follow the ICMPD Anti-Trafficking Programme on Twitter for more information and registration details.