Guatemala marked World Day Against Child Labor with an Informational Fair that drew more than 400 participants, including Vice President Karin Herrera and senior Ministry of Labor officials rallying around the ILO’s 2026 theme: “Show Child Labor a Red Card.” Free the Slaves was there alongside survivors whose advocacy is pushing Guatemala’s national Roadmap toward meaningful improvements.
In May 2026, survivors of child labor in Guatemala stood before government officials and spoke. With support from Free the Slaves, survivor representatives brought eight concrete recommendations to Guatemala’s national child labor commission, demonstrating what inclusive policymaking looks like when the people most affected are treated as essential voices.
Nepal, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, Fiji, and Samoa have all committed to ending child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking through the Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder initiative. A new Free the Slaves analysis of all five finds a consistent pattern: strong policy frameworks, persistent ground-level gaps. The barriers are structural: fragmented data systems, an informal economy beyond inspectors’ reach, dependence on international funding, and limited survivor voice in program design. The next phase of progress won’t come from more roadmaps.
At the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, Alliance 8.7 marked ten years of partnership with a forward-looking conversation about what it will take to turn commitments into real protection for children. Governments, employers, workers’ representatives, international agencies, business leaders, and survivor advocates came together around a shared truth: progress is possible, but only sustained, coordinated, and survivor-centered action will close the gap between promises and impact.
Global commitments to end child labor continue to grow, yet the people most affected remain largely excluded from shaping the solutions. Reflecting on the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor in Marrakech, this piece examines the gap between intention and practice and asks a fundamental question: can lasting progress be achieved if survivor voices are not part of the decisions that affect their lives?
At Free the Slaves, we believe that survivors of modern slavery are not just part of the solution—they are the heart of it. When survivors are given the tools, support, and opportunities to lead, they can transform not only their own lives but also the lives of others.
Today, we’re sharing the story of Eileen Beryl Oginga, a survivor whose journey from victim to leader demonstrates the power of survivor-centered solutions. With courage, resilience, and the support of Free the Slaves, Eileen has become a champion for change, inspiring hope and action in the fight against modern slavery.
On December 6, 2024, Kenya unveiled a groundbreaking roadmap to combat child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, and modern slavery. Presented at the 19th Global Coordinating Group meeting in Turin, Italy, this strategy establishes Kenya as a Pathfinder Country under the Alliance 8.7 framework, highlighting its commitment to human rights and survivor-centered solutions.
Modern slavery remains a critical issue in Bangladesh, taking forms such as child labor, bonded labor, and human trafficking. A recent webinar, hosted by Free the Slaves, CWCS, and the Alliance 8.7 Secretariat, explored the country’s challenges and progress in eradicating forced labor. Featuring insights on Bangladesh’s current efforts, the benefits of Alliance 8.7 membership, and the role of the accountability framework, the event highlighted the urgent need for collaboration to achieve a slavery-free future.
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.
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.
Our approach to survivor engagement is rooted in collaboration, demonstrating the power of collective action in the fight against modern slavery. By creating spaces where survivors can lead and advocate for their rights, we not only empower individuals but also strengthen global efforts to end modern slavery.
By addressing the root causes of modern slavery and promoting justice and human rights for all, we aim to create a future where exploitation has no place. The collaborative and inclusive strategies being developed have the power to make significant strides towards ending modern slavery in Kenya.
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...
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...
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...
Alliance 8.7, a global partnership aimed at achieving Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals, is actively searching for a CSO to fill a vacant seat in its Global Coordinating Group (GCG) specifically to represent human trafficking issues.
Alliance 8.7 and Accountability Framework Webinar Report On 15 June 2023, Free the Slaves and the Alliance 8.7 secretariat in Nepal hosted a webinar to increase awareness of Alliance 8.7, the Pathfinder countries, and the accountability framework. The target audience...