2021 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery

In News

• The latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and international human rights group Walk Free.

Key Highlights 

• It revealed that last year, some 50 million people were living in modern slavery:
  • 28 million in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriages.

• It found that 10 million more people were trapped in modern slavery in 2021, compared to 2016 global estimates. 
  • Women and children were especially vulnerable.
• Highest : The Asia-Pacific region had the highest number of people in modern slavery and the Arab states the highest prevalence. 
• Pandemic : The COVID-19 pandemic had increased the risk of modern slavery and made the target of ending it among children by 2025 and universally by 2030 even more difficult.

• Impact : These crises have led to unprecedented 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.

• Recommendations: Improving and enforcing laws and labour inspections;
  • ending State-imposed forced labour; 
  • stronger measures to combat forced labour and trafficking; 
  • extending social protection, and strengthening legal protections, including raising the legal age of marriage to 18.
  • addressing the increased risk of trafficking and forced labour for migrant workers

Source:DTE