Advocacy

Challenges on the Road to SDG Target 8.7

Challenges on the Road to SDG Target 8.7

by Mariam Kish | Nov 21, 2024

In 2023, a Filipino man seeking legal work was deceived into forced labor by a crime syndicate, highlighting a growing crisis: modern slavery. Despite global commitments like SDG Target 8.7, 50 million people remain trapped in exploitation, fueled by factors such as digital technology misuse, climate change vulnerabilities, and illicit financial systems. Tackling these interconnected challenges requires bold action, collaboration, and innovative solutions. Together, we can disrupt the systems enabling modern slavery and create a future where freedom is a reality for all.

A Call to Action: How Stakeholders Can Drive Alliance 8.7’s Mission Forward

A Call to Action: How Stakeholders Can Drive Alliance 8.7’s Mission Forward

by Mohammad Badar | Nov 14, 2024

Imagine a world without forced labor or child exploitation. For some, it’s a moral imperative; for others, it feels like a distant dream. Alliance 8.7 refuses to see it as unattainable. This global partnership accelerates progress toward ending forced labor and child exploitation through collaboration between governments, businesses, NGOs, and survivors. By championing accountability, transparency, and survivor-led change, these stakeholders unite to turn intention into action. Together, they illuminate the path toward a future where justice and freedom are universal rights.

Celebrating the Launch of the Survivors Network Kenya: A Milestone in Survivor Leadership

Celebrating the Launch of the Survivors Network Kenya: A Milestone in Survivor Leadership

by Faith Muthiani | Oct 29, 2024

The launch of the Survivors Network Kenya (SNK) marks a significant milestone in survivor-led advocacy against human trafficking. Supported by Free the Slaves, SNK is the first survivor network officially recognized by the Kenyan government, empowering survivors to lead in policy engagement and systemic change across Kenya.

Harnessing Collective Power: Reflections from the Survivor Alliance World Congress

Harnessing Collective Power: Reflections from the Survivor Alliance World Congress

by Faith Muthiani | Oct 23, 2024

At the Survivor Alliance World Congress in Nairobi, survivor leaders and allies came together to amplify the power of collective action against human trafficking. Read how Free the Slaves is deepening its commitment to survivor-led change and building stronger, global partnerships.

UN Security Council Research

UN Security Council Research

by Marta Furlan | Jul 2, 2024

On Tuesday, June 4th, Free the Slaves and the University of Nottingham Rights Lab launched their joint report, “Modern Slavery and the United Nations Security Council” at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York, New York. This exciting event began at 2 PM...

Empowering Partnerships: Free the Slaves Impact in East and Central Africa

Empowering Partnerships: Free the Slaves Impact in East and Central Africa

by Faith Muthiani | Apr 17, 2024

In the fight against modern slavery, collaboration is paramount. Nowhere is this more evident than in the efforts of Free the Slaves in East and Central Africa, where partnerships between civil society organizations and the government are paving the way for impactful...

Survivors and Organizations Engaging Together Against Human Trafficking

Survivors and Organizations Engaging Together Against Human Trafficking

by Comms Team | Oct 5, 2023

Last year, Free the Slaves (FTS) and Awareness Against Human Trafficking (HAART) initiated a research project on survivor engagement in Eastern and Central Africa. Moving from the consideration that the engagement of survivors in the anti-trafficking movement still...

Survivor Advocacy Training in Democratic Republic of Congo

Survivor Advocacy Training in Democratic Republic of Congo

by Bryon Lippincott | Sep 14, 2023

Bukeni Waruzi, Executive Director of Free the Slaves, recently conducted a critical training session with survivors of forced labor, modern slavery, sex trafficking, and child labor in Kinshasa, the national capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The...

FTS and Partners Urge G7 to Take Action Against Forced Labor in Supply Chains

FTS and Partners Urge G7 to Take Action Against Forced Labor in Supply Chains

by Free the Slaves | Jun 14, 2022

On June 13, 2022, Free the Slaves joined 20 civil society organizations, survivors, and academics in urging the G7 to adopt new measures in ensuring forced labor is eradicated from the global supply chain. The leaders of these prosperous countries have the resources...

Free the Slaves Partners with Three New Organizations in Vietnam

Free the Slaves Partners with Three New Organizations in Vietnam

by Romcy Madronio | May 26, 2022

Free the Slaves is excited to announce our new partnerships in Vietnam. These partnerships will allow us to understand more about the country and its need to have more players in the human trafficking space. These partnership endeavors are essential for developing...

Free the Slaves Partners with Three Filipino Organizations

Free the Slaves Partners with Three Filipino Organizations

by Romcy Madronio | May 26, 2022

Free the Slaves is excited to announce new partnerships with local organizations in the Philippines. These partnerships will allow us better to understand the context of slavery in the Philippines and strengthen our efforts to combat it. We partner with the Balaod...

Migration Vigilance Committees

by Kuldeep Singh Chauhan | Feb 10, 2022

Free the Slaves along with our partner organizations MSEMVS and Verite are running The Safe Migration to GCC program in the Mirzapur and Bhadohi districts of Uttar Pradesh. To learn more about the safe migration guide click here. If you’re interested in learning about...

Inaugural Elkes Impact Award Winners Announced

by Free the Slaves | Jan 13, 2022

The Elkes Impact Awards were established in recognition of the tremendous work local advocate survivors and civil society organizations are doing in their communities. Local survivors and organizations too often do not receive widespread acknowledgment of their work,...

2021 Regional Forums Initiative Concludes

by Free the Slaves | Dec 14, 2021

It’s been a busy past three months! The Freedom from Slavery Forum held three regional events focusing on Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and the combined regions of North America, Europe, and the Caribbean. This concluded the series of 2021 regional...

Omicron Variant Postpones Annual Freedom from Slavery Forum

by Free the Slaves | Nov 29, 2021

Due to the sharp rise in cases and uncertainty associated with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, Free the Slaves is announcing the postponement of the global Freedom from Slavery Forum in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Forum, scheduled for December 5-8, would have...

Understanding the Modern Slavery Landscape of the Middle East and North Africa

by Free the Slaves | Oct 19, 2021

Women, children, migrants, refugees, and other minorities are especially vulnerable to human rights violations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This vulnerability is magnified by a wide range of factors, including economic instability, conflict, climate...

Fair Food: Who Picked Your Produce?

by Free the Slaves | Oct 14, 2021

Editor’s Note: This guest blog from a Free the Slaves advocacy partner in the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking highlights how a key program to fight modern slavery in American agriculture has moved from a theory of change to a proven solution. The Coalition of...

Freedom from Slavery Forum Focuses on Asia

by Free the Slaves | Oct 12, 2021

Anti-slavery movement leaders across Asia convened virtually via Zoom in August at the first-ever Freedom from Slavery Forum - Asia to discuss issues most pertinent to the continent and set priorities for next year around the theme of “Resilience and Resistance to...

FTS & Anti-trafficking Leaders Ask G7 Ministers to Increase Efforts Against Modern Slavery

by Terry FitzPatrick | Oct 7, 2021

Free the Slaves Executive Director Bukeni Waruzi and 33 other anti-trafficking leaders are asking the Group of Seven industrialized nations to step-up and coordinate action against forced labor worldwide. Earlier this year at the G7 Summit in the U.K., world leaders...

Cutting the Long-term Costs of COVID-19: Building Resilience Against Exploitation in Senegal and Kenya

by Free the Slaves | Oct 5, 2021

To date, the cost of the global COVID-19 pandemic has most frequently been measured in lives lost and the cost to domestic economies, while triumphs have often been charted in terms of vaccine roll-outs and partial or full returns to the ‘freedoms’ outside lockdown. ...

Kenya Runner’s Tips for Immigrants on Avoiding U.S. Traffickers

by Free the Slaves | Aug 10, 2021

Editor’s note: With the Olympics focusing on track and field events last week, we are privileged to share a survivor’s story about how human trafficking can happen to anyone, even a professional athlete. My name is Moninda Marube and I am a Kenyan national currently...

Freedom from Slavery Forum Begins Regional Convenings

by Free the Slaves | Jul 22, 2021

The Freedom from Slavery Forum is pioneering new ground this year as the anti-slavery movement’s premiere thought-leadership convening. For the past eight years, the Forum has been a collegial space for anti-slavery leaders from around the world to coalesce, create...

Joint Statement and Call to Action on the Crisis in Haiti

by Free the Slaves | Jul 19, 2021

In response to the crisis in Haiti, which has deepened in the wake of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, we, the undersigned individuals and organizations, express our condolences and sympathy to all of the Haitian families that have lost a loved one to the...

FTS Joins Global Push to End Child Labor

by Free the Slaves | Jun 11, 2021

Saturday, June 12 is the U.N. World Day Against Child Labor, and this year takes on special importaance because 2021 is the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor. Organizations around the globe, including Free the Slaves, have pledged to create special...

ATEST Briefs Congress on Opportunities for Action

by Terry FitzPatrick | May 14, 2021

Members of the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST), including FTS Board Member Evelyn Chumbow, and leaders from the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus and the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking gathered this week for a virtual briefing and...

Webinar Recording: Ending Modern Slavery in Our Communities

by Terry FitzPatrick | Apr 26, 2021

What are the differences between historical slavery and slavery today? What are the key dates and accomplishments in the history of the abolition movement? How can you take action to make communities slavery free? Find out in our newest webinar recording: “Building...

New Video for Passover Zoom Seders

by Debra Orenstein | Mar 16, 2021

Unable to safely gather in person in large numbers, many of us will turn to Zoom and other digital platforms for Passover Seders. The Free the Slaves Passover Project has produced a unique video to help deepen the experience of this year’s online and hybrid...

Celebrating Women of Free the Slaves

by Free the Slaves | Mar 8, 2021

For more than 100 years, International Women's Day has put a spotlight onto issues affecting women around the world. Today, International Women's Day belongs to everyone who believes that women's rights are human rights. We Asked some of Free the Slaves’ leading...

Learning About Slavery is the First Step to Ending It

by Terry FitzPatrick | Jan 27, 2021

January is Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Month in the U.S. It's an important opportunity to learn why slavery still exists, what can be done to end it, and how you can help. Thanks to the Lowenstein Sandler law firm, there's a one-hour video that will help you...

Leave No One Behind on Human Rights Day

by Bukeni Waruzi | Dec 10, 2020

It’s Human Rights Day, when the world commemorates the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the right to be free from slavery. Human rights are supposed to apply to everyone, everywhere, without regard to sex or race or age. But in Ghana, three...

Why We Produced Free the Slaves’ Untold Story

by Free the Slaves | Dec 8, 2020

522 Productions is proud to assist Free the Slaves as the winner of the #untoldstory nonprofit video contest, launched in July 2019. 522 Productions is an award-winning video production company committed to driving social change through the videos we create. As we...

Free the Slaves and the Rights Lab Form New Partnership to Combat Modern Slavery

by Terry FitzPatrick | Dec 2, 2020

On this International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, two of the world’s leading antislavery institutions are proud to announce a new partnership to merge research, community activism and global advocacy. Free the Slaves, headquartered in the U.S., and the Rights...

2020 Freedom from Slavery Forum Report and Recordings Now Available

by Terry FitzPatrick | Nov 30, 2020

The Freedom from Slavery Forum 2020 Advisory Committee would like to express thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s virtual convening, “Opportunities in an Age of Adaptation.” This year’s gathering in late October was a remarkable success. Across four days...

Can You Help Promote Safe Labor Migration?

by Bukeni Waruzi | Nov 21, 2020

What happens when the promise of a better tomorrow suddenly becomes a nightmare? The transatlantic slave trade was the largest forced migration in history. For more than four centuries, Africans were kidnapped, sold to slave traders, and forced onto slave ships...

ATEST Calls for Catalytic Investment to Fight Human Trafficking in Recommendations to Biden Transition Team

by Terry FitzPatrick | Nov 10, 2020

The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST) stressed the need for a whole-of-government approach to combat human trafficking inside the U.S. and around the world in comprehensive recommendations to the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden....

Stand Against Anti-Haitian Racism

by Bukeni Waruzi | Nov 5, 2020

For more than 150 years Haiti and the Dominican Republic have shared the island of Hispaniola. Their relationship, however, has not been pleasant. Sadly, this antagonism has led to the creation of racially biased policies against Haitians in the Dominican territory. ...

Help Free Indians Trapped in the Caste System

by Bukeni Waruzi | Oct 28, 2020

Are you aware of the caste system in India? If you’re unfamiliar, it is a social structure that divides different groups into ranked categories. A person’s caste determines their social status, their livelihood, who they can marry and where they can live. In the...

Hillary Clinton Calls for “Decade of Dedication” on 20 Anniversary of Anti-Trafficking Act

by Terry FitzPatrick | Oct 27, 2020

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton recalled the formative days of the modern anti-slavery movement, and called for a "Decade of Determination" to end modern slavery as we observe the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Palermo Protocol and the U.S....

Freedom Needs Truth

by Staff | Oct 22, 2020

The ATEST Coalition, which includes Free the Slaves, has signed on to this open letter about the impact of QAnon on anti-trafficking work. An open letter to Candidates, the Media, Political Parties, and Policymakers: As survivors, service providers, human and labor...

Can You Help Stop Child Slavery?

by Bukeni Waruzi | Oct 21, 2020

Did you know that 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children? At 7 years old, Kwezi left his childhood home with expectations of a better life and more opportunities. But that was far from his reality. Instead, he was tricked by traffickers and was forced to work...

Promoting Racial Justice Can Stop Modern Slavery

by Bukeni Waruzi | Oct 16, 2020

Racial injustice is a legacy of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment outlawed slavery in the U.S., and the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights helped prohibit slavery around the world. But these remarkable achievements did not end slavery. And...

ATEST Expands, Adding Three New Organizations

by Terry FitzPatrick | Sep 30, 2020

Three trailblazing organizations have joined the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST), expanding the alliance’s depth and breadth of expertise and strengthening the alliance’s collective voice. HEAL Trafficking, Humanity United Action and the McCain...

Haiti Government Pledges Financial Support to Fight Child Trafficking

by Smith Maxime | Sep 14, 2020

Haiti’s National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons will have the financial capacity to carry out its ambitious agenda, thanks to a commitment by the government to provide 20 million Haitian gourdes (about $185,000 USD) in financial support. It’s the first...

Preventing Imports Tainted by Uyghur Forced Labor

by Terry FitzPatrick | Sep 14, 2020

The Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking (ATEST), which is co-chaired by Free the Slaves, supports legislation that will prevent Chinese products tainted by Uyghur forced labor from being imported into the United States. See the letter to the U.S. Senate Foreign...

Opportunities in an Age of Adaptation

by Terry FitzPatrick | Sep 3, 2020

The 8th annual Freedom from Slavery Forum is happening in a unique and exceptional environment. Countries have taken measures to contain the COVID-19 global pandemic, but modern-day slavery including sexual slavery, forced labor and human trafficking has grown worse...

Grassroots Advocacy Continues via Zoom

by Terry FitzPatrick | Aug 27, 2020

The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted anti-trafficking work around the world. But the Free the Saves India team has continued to press ahead with vital online advocacy training that builds bridges between communities and government officials. FTS work in India...

Dominican Republic Coalition Joins Court Case against Child Marriage

by Terry FitzPatrick | Jul 22, 2020

Free the Slaves and Participación Ciudadana filed a friend of the court brief this week in the Dominican Republic’s Constitutional Court to get child marriage declared an unconstitutional practice that harms girls and permanently affects their rights. The brief, filed...

Slavery Survivors Help Haiti’s COVID-19 Response

by Bukeni Waruzi | Jun 8, 2020

I’d like to share some important and inspiring news from our program in Haiti. There’s a deep sense of community spirit among Haiti’s slavery survivors. That’s why the Adult Survivor Network has stepped forward to be part of the country’s response to the COVID-19...

FTS Solidarity Statement on Racial Violence and Justice in the United States

by Free the Slaves | Jun 4, 2020

On behalf of Free the Slaves, we stand in solidarity with the growing global outcry against racial violence and for racial justice in the United States. Free the Slaves is appalled by the ongoing systemic injustices directed at Black people and other people of color...

Freedom Forward

by Timothy Patrick McCarthy | May 29, 2020

It is a great honor for me to become the next chair of the board of directors for Free the Slaves, one of the founding and leading organizations of the global movement against modern slavery. I am grateful to my dear friend and predecessor, Dan Elkes, whose uncommon...