MODERN SLAVERY

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According to the recently published report by the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery 2021, nearly 49.6 million people are trapped in modern slavery on any given day.
- They are either engaged in forced labour or are in forced marriage.
- Forced labour accounted for 27.6 million and forced marriage for 22 million.

Global Estimates of Modern Slavery 2021 Report

'The Global Estimates Of Modern Slavery' report was published by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the international human rights group Walk Free.
The report has indicated that forced labour and forced marriage had increased significantly in the last five years.
The report highlighted that the Asia-Pacific region had the highest number of people in modern slavery and the Arab states had the highest prevalence. But no region, developed or developing, was free from the practice.
The COVID-19 pandemic had increased the risk of modern slavery and it made the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target even more difficult.
Modern slavery comprises two principal components — forced labour and forced marriage.
- Migrant workers, who are not protected by law and are unable to exercise their rights, face a higher risk of forced labour than other workers.
- Forced marriage refers to situations where a person has been forced to marry without their consent. Child marriage is also considered a form of forced marriage.
Covid-19 crises and climate change have led to increases in extreme poverty, lower education rates, a rise in distress migration and significant increases in reports of gender-based violence. These factors are associated with increased vulnerability to forced marriage.
- Nearly two-thirds of all forced marriages are in Asia and the Pacific.
- COVID-19 has led to an increased risk of forced marriage in every region.
- Once forced to marry, there is a greater risk of further exploitation, including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and violence and other forms of forced labour both inside and outside the home.